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THE HISTORY 



OF THE 



NINETEENTH REGIMENT 



OF 

MAINE VOLUNTEER INFANTRY 

1862-1865 

BY 

JOHN DAY SMITH 

LATE A CORPORAL LN COMPANY F 



PREPARED AT THE REQUEST OF THE 

NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENTAL 
ASSOCIATION 



WITH AN INTRODUCTION WRITTEN BY 
BREVET MAJOR-GENERAL 

ALEXANDER S. WEBB 



MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 

printed by 

The Great Western Printing Company 

1909 



s . 



c 

v. _<■ 



Copyright, 1909 

BY 

JOHN DAY SMITH, 

MINNKAPOLIS. 



CIA '^A^^()?t> 

AUi 26 1909 



IHIS VOLUME IS REVERENTLY DEDICATED 

TO THE 

OFFICERS AND SOLDIERS 
OF THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

OF 

INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS 

TO THE LIVING AND THE DEAD, 

IN MEMORY OF 

TIIBIR SACRIFICES, THEIR BRAVERY, THEIR SUFFER- 
INGS AND THEIR DEATH 




Colonel Francis E. Heath. 



INTRODUCTION 



Hon. John Day Smith, 

Minneapolis, Minn. 

My Dear Judge Smith: 

It is not only a high compliment to be asked to write a 
few words of introduction to the history of the Nineteenth 
Maine Volunteers, a typical Second Division, Second Corps 
Regiment, but it is to me a welcomed opportunity to express, 
nearly fifty years after the severance of the ties that were char- 
acterized by mutual confidence and respect, the admiration and 
esteem*! have on every occasion endeavored to manifest 
when I have recalled your patriotism and sacrifices. 

A history of the Nineteenth Maine is a history of the army 
of the Potomac. A record of your deeds is the record of the 
patriotic services of the highest type of the Union Volunteers. 
It was to such as you that was due the final obliteration of the 
false impression that the northern farmer or mechanic, school 
teacher or lawyer could not be made the equal of any soldier in 
the world. 

You proved your capacity and your personal bravery on 
every opportunity, at every encounter with your enemies, and 
you were appreciated and honored by your associates. 

When, at Gettysburg, July 3rd, 1863, my Brigade was 
almost overwhelmed, you and the remainder of the Second Di- 
vision, came to the midst of that fearful struggle and carnage, 
and made good the resolve, that none of that 15,000 self-confi- 
dent misguided Corps of Rebels should come within our lines. 
saTe as prisoners and without arms. Without earthworks, 
with silenced batteries, you withstood the final attack as we 
knew you would, and you joined in the final triumph. 

Your historian will tell the story of this, our first service 
together, and however strong may be his claim for the recog- 



nition of this most opportune and most necessary support, rest 
assured that I, as commander of the Second Brigade, remain a 
grateful and willing witness to your efficient and gallant support. 

Well do I remember your coming on the run, upon the 
field of battle at Bristoe Station, in the afternoon of October 
14th, 1863. For sixty hours, with only six hours rest, you had 
either been in line of battle, skirmishing with the enemy or 
hurrying north by forced marches. General Lee was trying to 
get between the old Second Corps and the rest of the army, and 
then hoped to fall upon us, thus separated. 1 was then in 
command of your Division, and General Warren commanded the 
Corps — General Hancock being absent by reason of his Gettys- 
burg wound. Your Brigade, with Arnold's Rhode Island Bat- 
tery, led the Corps on that day's march, and your Colonel Heath 
commanded the Brigade. You arrived none too soon. You 
ran into position beside the railroad, the right of the Brigade 
resting near Broad Run. The Rebel Brigades of Cooke and 
Kirkland of Heth's Division, Hill's Corps, consisting of nine 
regiments of North Carolina troops, supported by Davis' and 
Walker's Brigades of eight regiments more, of Mississippi 
and Virginia soldiers of the same Division, were already charg- 
ing down upon the position held by your own and the Third 
Brigade of our Division. The enemy reached the railroad in 
front of your Brigade, but the Rebel soldiers were driven back 
with shot and bayonet and your Regiment captured the flag of 
the Twenty-second North Carolina Regiment and a number of 
prisoners. Heth's Division lost, according to their own ad- 
mission, nearly one thousand men in killed and wounded, 
besidesniany prisoners and five guns. You may well look back 
upon that engagement with pride. 

From that period, during the long season of my command 
of the Second Division of our Corps, you were with me a valued 
and efficient Regiment. Always reliable and most trusted, it 
was natural that 1 should be gratified at your retention in my 
command when our Division was consolidated and became the 
First Brigade of the new Second Division. 

But you were destined to perform a part in the struggle of 
the Wilderness which was of so great importance to me, as the 

vi 



General commanding the Brigade, that to this day, 1 think 
with dismay of what might have happened had you not remain- 
ed alone as a Regiment, to stop the pursuit of the twelve Re- 
giments of my command which had been, after six hours of 
bitter conflict, outflanked by General Wilcox's Rebel Division. 

1 talked over this half days contention with General 
Wilcox, several times during the first ten years after the war, 
and he always spoke of the splendid fighting qualities of my 
Brigade; since we, holding the right of the Corps, without the 
Commander of our Division to appeal to for more support, 
were made the point of attack by Field's Division on our left 
front and Wilcox's Division on our main front and right. We 
held it until I was ordered to leave you to go to the left and to 
try to rally the broken Regiments of the Brigade of another 
Division, which was falling back before Longstreet's midday 
attack. 

It was an unfortunate order and it was followed by a more 
injurious and improper order i. e. the order for you to break 
the line you had so strongly held, and to charge the reinforced 
lines of the enemy. That order caused the repulse of May 6th. 

During my absence of about fifteen minutes. General Wads- 
worth, who had assumed command of the right, had ordered 
this charge and had fallen, leading my men. 

I came from the left front and found my line in possession 
of the Rebels; but, on the plank road, formed across it, was the 
Nineteenth Maine under Colonel Connor. 

What a grand sight that was! Your Regiment was to 
hold back that Rebel advance and I had the opportunity to 
be with you. 

No wonder that General Wilcox concluded that a new line 
of battle had been formed — no wonder that the Rebels halted 
to prepare a strong attack on the men they had fought for five 
hours without success. 

The Nineteenth Maine remained at that point until time 
had been allowed to remove Colonel Connor, and the other 
wounded, to the Brock Road; and then, under my order, the 
Regiment left like skirmishers, and came to the remainder of 
the Brigade from the front. It was a noble service. 

vii 



Of the charges and fighting on the several days up to the 
r 2th of May, others will write. I must be allowed to add that I was 
wounded near your Regiment in the morning charge at the 
Angle at Spottsylvania Court House and 1 do not think it 
is possible to ask of any troops to perform a more hazardous 
duty than to charge those fully manned, strong, well protected 
breastworks. You took them as I was carried back. 

May these few words remind you of my service with you— 
remind you of one who was and is proud of his association 
with you. 

ALEXANDER S. WEBB, 
Brevet Major-General U. S. A. and U. S. V. 
New York City, January 2nd, 1909. 



Vlll 



PREFACE 

A History of the Nineteenth Maine Regiment was discussed 
in the reunions of the Regimental Association more than 
twenty years ago. Spasmodic efforts were made from time 
to time to have a history of the organization written and printed, 
but nothing tangible came of it. Sergeant Silas Adams, the 
long time Secretary of the Regimental Association, began to 
speak and work for the history many years ago. The great 
difficulty has been that when members of the old Regiment who 
were qualified to prepare a history became interested in the 
project, they sickened and died. Had Captain Charles E. 
Nash lived, the work should and probably would have been 
undertaken by him. He was best equipped for this labor. 

Some five or six years ago the Regimental Association 
decided that a history should be prepared by the different mem- 
bers of the old organization, and funds solicited for the print- 
ing and binding of the same. Certain periods of our army 
service were assigned to different men. A very few of these 
assignments were prepared, some of the men who were to write 
died before completing their work and some were too busy to 
undertake the task. The author was appealed to and urged 
to take these contributions, fill up the gaps made by the miss- 
ing assignments, make the necessary corrections and prepare a 
history of the Regiment. After going over the material, he 
came to the conclusion that it was a hopeless task. 
A history thus prepared would have been a medley — a hodge- 
podge — having neither uniformity, continuity nor coherence. 
Different writers varied greatly in their recollection of events, 
in their appreciation of certain crises in the history of the Regi- 
ment and in their estimation of the service and ability of com- 
manding officers. 

The author then went to Washington and examined 
all of the original records of the Regiment. Two years 
ago he began the preparation of this volume, and from 

ix 



such time as he has been able to take from his somewhat 
arduous oftlcial duties, he has prepared and submits this history 
t his former comrades in arms. 

Many of the men of the Regiment who were unjustly 
reported as deserters the author has traced into Confederate 
prisons, where some of them died. 

It is not claimed that the Roster ot the Regiment, which 
appears at the end of the volume, is entirely accurate, but it is 
urged with some degree of assurance that it is more nearly cor- 
rect than anything which has ever been printed. 

Hundreds of letters have been written in the preparation 
of this work. The replies to those letters would convince one, 
if proof were necessary, that the survivors of the Regiment are 
growing old. Inability to recall events that a person would 
suppose could never be forgotten characterize the greater part 
of the answers to these letters of inquiry. 

The author was fortunate in keeping and preserving a 
daily record of important events, which has been of great service 
to him in this undertaking. 

General Selden Connor furnished the material for the 
greater portion of the chapter on the Battle of the Wilderness. 
The complimentary allusions to himself in that chapter were 
written by the author. In all other cases credit is given for 
material furnished and used. 

The author has been free in his comments and criticismis, 
and for these he alone is responsible. He has not intentionally 
written an unkind word with respect to anyone, nor has he 
wished to wound the susceptibilities of any. He has had in 
mind the words of General Grant: "1 would like to see a 
truthful history vv-ritten. Such a history will do full credit to 
the courage, endurance and ability of the American citizen, no 
matter what section he hail from or in what ranks he fought." 

In the preparation of this work some material was collected 
which is not pertinent to a history of the Nineteenth Maine. 
The author has regarded it as of sufficient interest to the people 
of Maine to insert the same in an Appendix to this volume. 

The undersigned desires to express his sense of obligation 
to Brevet Major-General A. S. Webb, of New York City, for 



his complimentary Introduction to this volume; to Sergeant 
Silas Adams, without whose co-operation this history would 
never have been written; to the late Colonel I. W. Starbird and 
Captain Charles E. Nash, for valuable information; to Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel J. W. Spaulding, of Boston, whose diary cover- 
ing the last year of the war was placed by him in the hands of 
the writer; to Lieutenant George R. Palmer, through whose aid 
maps of the battlefield of Gettysburg were obtained, which may 
be found in the chapter on Getysburg; to Mr. E. S. Hughes, 
for reading proof; to Mr. Frank L. Bowler, Court Reporter, for 
taking in shorthand and transcribing these pages, and to his 
wife, Laura B. Smith, who has patiently examined authorities, 
read proof and verified tables and statistics. 

Conscious of typographical errors that have crept into these 
pages, and fully reahzing that this volume may not meet the 
expectations of all, the author submits it with some degree of 
trepidation to his old comrades of the Nineteenth Maine Regi- 
ment. 

John Day Smith. 
Minneapolis, July 26th, 1909. 



XI 



CONTENTS 

CHAPTER I. 

Page 
Organization of the Regiment and service in the 

Forts around Washington f 

CHAPTER H. 

Harper's Ferry, Bolivar Heights and the March 
to Warrenton Junction under General 
McClellan 14 

CHAPTER III. 
Battle of Fredericksburg 23 

CHAPTER IV. 

The Chancellorsville Campaign 39 

CHAPTER V. 
Gettysburg Campaign ^^ 

CHAPTER VI. 
Back to the Rappahannock, Bristoe Station, 

Mine Run and Second Winter in Camp. loi 

CHAPTER VII. 
Battle of the Wilderness 129 

CHAPTER VIII. 
Battle of Spottsylvania 147 

CHAPTER IX. 

On the North Anna 1 74 

CHAPTER X. 
Battles of Totopotomoy and Cold Harbor 182 

xiii 



CHAPTER X!. 

Page 
South of the James River and Battles in Front 

of Petersburg, June 16-20, 1864 200 

CHAPTER XH. 
Battle of Jerusalem Plank Road 206 

CHAPTER Xlll. 
Battles of Deep Bottom and Strawberry Plains 221 

CHAPTER XIV. 
Battles of Reams' Station and Boydton Road 231 

CHAPTER XV. 
Last Winter in Camp and Battle of 

Hatcher's Run 253 

CHAPTER XVI. 
Prisoners of V/ar 272 

CHAPTER XVH. 
The Appomattox Campaign 291 

CHAPTER XVIH. 
The Joyful Return Home 309 



Roster of the Regiment 317 

Appendix 353 



XIV 



LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 

Colonel Francis E. Heath Frontispiece 

John Day Smith, Historian i8 

Sergeant Silas Adams yo 

Pickett's Charge, Gettysburg 82 

Regimental Monument, Gettysburg 88 

Major David F. Parsons 116 

Adoniram J. Billings, Surgeon 124 

Brigadier-General Selden Connor, 1864 136 

Lieutenant-Colonel J. W. Spaulding, 1864 138 

Hon. Selden Connor, 190^ ij[2 

Brigadier-General Webb i 56 

"Bloody Angle," Spottsylvania, May 12th 158 

Captain Wm. H. Fogler 186 

Corporal John Day Smith 208 

Captain Charles E. Nash 238 

Colonel and Brevet Brigadier-General Isaac W. Starbird. .306 
Lieutenant-Colonel J. W. Spaulding, 1905 310 

LIST OF MAPS 

First Day's Battle, Gettysburg 66 

Second Day's Battle, Gettysburg 72 

Third Day's Battle, Gettysburg 80 

Cavalry Engagement, Gettysburg 88 

XV 



CHAPTER I. 



ORGANIZATION OF THE REGIMENT AND SERVICE IN THE 
FORTS AROUND WASHINGTON. 

War is a terrible curse. Some wars are justifiable; most 
are not. The War of the Rebellion — now generally called the 
Civil War — was a conflict that could not have been avoided by 
the North, except by the giving up of the old Union. Revolu- 
tion or rebellion is justifiable only when the existing government 
becomes oppressive and intolerable or when the rights of the 
people are disregarded. Surely there was no just ground for 
rebellion on the part of the Slave States. The prosecution of 
the war on the part of the North was for the preservation of 
the Union— the maintenance of the best government in the 
world. The outcome of the war was never seriously in doubt, 
except upon the unlikely contingency of the intervention of 
foreign powers. The length of the war depended upon the 
skill or incompetency with which it was prosecuted by both 
sides. The North was rich. While money will buy provisions 
and munitions of war, it will not buy skillful leadership. What- 
ever the Army of the Potomac accomplished in the four years 
of its eventful history, was not won by the military genius of 
its commanders, but by its own blood. 

The war had been in progress more than a year when the Nine- 
teenth was organized. President Lincoln had issued two calls 
for troops. Under the call of April 15, 1861, 75,000 three- 
months men had been raised. By authority of the President's 
proclamation of May 3, 1861, and acts of Congress, approved 
July 22nd and 25th, 1861 , 500,000 volunteers entered the service 
for three years. On July 2nd, 1862, there was another demand 
made for 300,000 men for three years, and it was under this 
call that Maine furnished five infantry regiments, the Sixteenth, 
Seventeenth, Eighteenth, Nineteenth and Twentieth. Author- 
ity for raising the "Nineteenth of Maine Volunteers" was con- 
tained in the following General Order: 



THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT. 



Headquarters, Adjutant General's Office 
Augusta, July 8, 1862 



General Order No. 18. 



In pursuance of requisition and authority from the President of 
the United States, the Governor and Commander-in-Chief orders and 
directs, that an additional regiment of infantry, for the service of the 
government, the Nineteenth of Maine Volunteers, to rendezvous at 
Bath, be raised and organized forthwith. Instructions in detail are 
prepared for recruiting agents, who will obtain their authority, with 
all the requisite blanks for making enlistments, from the Adjutant 
General at Augusta, and such other persons as may hereafter be 
designated. 

By order of the Commander-in-Chief, 

John L. Hodsdon, Adjutant General. 



The Nineteenth was exceptionally strong in many respects. 
Its members were almost exclusively natives of Maine. There 
was scarcely a foreigner among its original members. Then 
the Regiment was raised at a time when the idea so fondly 
indulged in at first, that the war would only last a short time, 
had been thoroughly dissipated. Within two weeks, prior to 
the time the Governor of Maine had designated the Nineteenth 
as one of the Regiments to be raised in Maine, the disastrous 
battles of Mechanicsville, Gaines' Mill, Savage Station and 
Glendale had been fought and McClellan's army had been 
driven back from in front of Richmond, to Harrison's Landing 
on the James river. From soldiers, sick and wounded, return- 
ing from the theater of war, the men who constituted the Regi- 
ment had the opportunity of learning from the experience of 
others, that the war was no holiday affair. They knew some- 
thing of what enlistment meant in hardship and suffering. 
Large bounties appealing to mercenary motives, had not yet 
been offered. Men who entered the service at this time were 
generally prompted by patriotism. 

The men who composed the Regiment came principally 
from the counties of Somerset, Kennebec, Sagadahoc, Waldo, 
Knox and Lincoln. More came from the county of Waldo 
than any other one county. Practically all the men in com- 
panies B and E, three-fourths of Company D, and one-third of 



ORGANIZATION OF THE REGIMENT 3 

Company C, were residents of Waldo county. All the counties 
in the State, however, had representatives in the Regiment. 

In the early days of August, boys and young men, in 
squads and singly, were found wending their way toward the 
city of Bath, coming from up and down the Kennebec, along 
the sea-shore from Bath to Thomaston, and the towns border- 
ing on the Penobscot. These young men came principally 
from farms, but some came from stores, factories and schools. 
Some had already learned trades, others were learning them, 
and some few were in professional life. The neat dress of the 
city fellow, as well as the plain garb of the farmer's boy, was 
soon exchanged for the soldier's uniform. Who will ever for- 
get those trousers, in color somewhere between sky blue and 
pea green, that did not bag simply at the knees but bagged the 
whole length? The shoes were made for feet of all shapes and 
sizes, but when a soldier had selected a pair which he thought 
came nearest to his size, there was always plenty of room to 
spare in all directions, except one or two places where they 
pinched. The coats and blouses were of a dark blue, and the 
black hats, fastened up the side with brass eagles, were too 
gaudy to describe. We began at once to drill, perform guard 
duty, have Sunday inspections, daily dress parades and, in fact, 
learned to be soldiers. Chaplain Eliphalet Whittlesey rounded 
the men up on Sundays and preached patriotism and religion. 
Colonel Sewell also called us together occasionally and talked 
patriotism and temperance, and urged us to be loyal, temperate 
and religious. We had occasion to remember his address on 
temperance two or three months later at Warrenton. 

The following is a list of the commissioned officers of the 
Regiment : 

Frederick D. Sewell, Bath, Colonel 

Francis E. Heath, Waterville, Lieutenant-Colonel 

Henry W. Cunningham, Belfast, Major 

Adoniram J. Billings, Freedom, Surgeon 

Eliphalet Whittlesey, Brunswick, Chaplain 

James W. Wakefield, Bath, Quartermaster 

Frank W. Haskell, Waterville, Adjutant 

Henry C. Levansaler, Thomaston, Assistant Surgeon 



THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT. 

COMPANY A. 

James W. Hathaway, Mercer, Captain 

J. Whitman Spaulding, Richmond, First Lieutenant 

David E. Parsons, Norridgewock, Second Lieutenant 

COMPANY B. 

Lindley M. Coleman, Lincolnville, Captain 
WilHam Clements, Monroe, First Lieutenant 
Levi Rackliff, Lincolnville, Second Lieutenant 

COMPANY C. 

George H. Rowell, Fairfield, Captain 
Joseph H. Hunt, Unity, First Lieutenant 
Francis M. Ames, Fairfield, Second Lieutenant 

COMPANY D. 

William H. Fogler, Belfast, Captain 
Horace C. Noyes, Belfast, First Lieutenant 
Edward R. Cunningham, Belfast, Second Lieutenant 

COMPANY E. 

Daniel L. Dickey, Stockton, Captain 
James Johnson, Searsport, First Lieutenant 
John S. Tapley, Frankfort, Second Lieutenant 

COMPANY F. 

Isaac W. Starbird, Litchfield, Captain 

George L. Whitmore, Bowdoinham, First Lieutenant 

Charles E. Nash, Hallowell, Second Lieutenant 

COMPANY G. 
James W. Welch, Augusta, Captain 
Everett M. Whitehouse, China, First Lieutenant 
George C. Hopkins, Mt. Vernon, Second Lieutenant 



ORGANIZATION OF THE REGIMENT 5 

COMPANY H. 

Joseph Eaton, Jr., Winslow, Captain 
Willard Lincoln, China, First Lieutenant 
Albert Hunter, Clinton, Second Lieutenant 

COMPANY L 

Edward A. Snow, Rockland, Captain 
Gershom F. Burgess, Camden, First Lieutenant 
George D. Smith, Rockland, Second Lieutenant 

COMPANY K. 

Charles S. Larrabee, Bath, Captain 

Joseph Nichols, Phipsburg, First Lieutenant | 

Dumont Bunker, Fairfield, Second Lieutenant 

Colonel Sewell had served for a short time as Assistant 
Adjutant-General on the staflf of General Howard. Lieutenant- 
Colonel Heath had been promoted from Captain of Company 
H, Third Maine Regiment. Major Cunningham had seen 
service as Captain of Company A, Fourth Maine. Adjutant 
Haskell had been Sergeant-Major in the Third Maine. First 
Lieutenant Whitehouse, of Company G, was promoted from 
Corporal of Company B, Third Maine Regiment. Second 
Lieutenant Bunker, of Company K, had served as a private in 
Company F, Third Maine Regiment. A few men in the ranks 
had also been in other Regiments. 

Sewell, Heath, Billings, Starbird, Fogler, Spaulding, 
Parsons, Hopkins, and many others among the non-commis- 
sioned officers and privates were college men. The keen in- 
telligence of the educated volunteer was of the utmost value. 
Illiteracy was reduced to the minimum in the Nineteenth. 

James L. Merrick, of Company C, writes as follows: — 

"The boys had considerable fun those first days at Bath, and, 
with the fun, some mischief. A gentleman had an ambrotype gallery 
on wheels within the encampment and had taken so many ridiculous 
pictures of members of the Regiment in their new uniforms, the boys 



6 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

thought they had better have a Uttle sport with him; so one dark 
night they set the estabUshment on fire and burned it to the ground. 
A few years after the war this same gentleman, still sore over his loss, 
sent a bill to the Nineteenth Maine Regimental Association, hoping to 
get his pay, but the men thought that was one of the losses of the war 
and that he must stand it." 

The Regiment was mustered into the United States ser- 
vice August 25th, 1862, by Captain C. J. Bailey, 17th U. S. 
Infantry, for a term of three years. The Regiment numbered 
at the time of the muster, thirty-nine officers and nine hundred 
and sixty-nine enUsted men. Early on the morning of Wednes- 
day, August 27th, we were ordered to be ready to move from 
camp, and marched through the streets of Bath to the railroad 
station. We were a sight to behold on this morning. The men 
had put everything in their knapsacks that they thought there 
would be any possibility of their needing in the future. In- 
deed, some had nearly everything necessary to set up house- 
keeping, except a cookstove. Our overcoats and rubber 
blankets were strapped to the top of our knapsacks, and the 
straps cut pretty deep into the shoulders before we reached the 
railroad station. It was rather a pathetic sight as the train 
moved out of the station at Bath, leaving behind the fathers 
and mothers, brothers, sisters and sweethearts there assembled, 
waving with their handkerchiefs a brave farewell to the men- 
many of whom they would never see again. The Regiment 
arrived at Boston at two o'clock in the afternoon and marched 
across the city to the Providence station, where we took the 
train for Stonington Neck. From Stonington, some time in 
the night, we took the steamer "Commonwealth" for Jersey 
City. We arrived in New York harbor about nine o'clock in the 
morning, and there had a fine view of the ship "Great Eastern." 
It was an immense affair and in those days created considerable 
excitement and comment, on account of its enormous size. The 
Regiment arrived in Philadelphia at ten or eleven o'clock, and 
took supper that night at the "Cooper Shop" refreshment 
saloon. It was a place of bountiful refreshment, maintained 
throughout the war by the patriotic people of that city. The 
"Cooper Shop" was notified by signal whenever a regiment 
arrived en route to the city of Washington. The boys long 



ORGANIZATION OF THE REGIMENT 7 

remembered the splendid repast in that place, and some of 
them remembered for a longer time the embraces of the girls on 
the streets after supper, while waiting for the cars. We arrived 
in Baltimore about ten o'clock the next day, and marched 
across the city, where we took the train for the seat of war. The 
Regiment arrived at Washington, Friday eveniug, August 29th 
and that night we went into a camp called "Soldier's Rest." 

Washington was then a very different city from the Wash- 
ington of today. Its streets were unpaved and most of its 
stores and residences were old wooden structures. The dome 
of the capitol was unfinished. Outside of the public buildings 
there was not much to interest one. Pennsylvania avenue, 
its principal street, was cut into ruts and after a storm was 
almost impassable. 1 1 was no unusual sight to see heavily loaded 
army wagons stalled on that avenue. Everywhere were seen 
hurrying troops and staff officers arrayed in gorgeous uniforms. 
No one seemed to have encouraging news to impart. Dis- 
order and gloom reigned supreme. 

James L. Merrick thus describes the movement of the 
Regiment during the next day. 

"The following morning, August 30th, orders were received to 
move into Virginia, and the order to "fall in' came early. We marched 
through the city of Washington, over the famous Long Bridge, to the 
foot of Arlington Heights, where we halted and ate our frugal 
midday meal. The second battle of Bull Run was raging, and we 
could hear the roar of the cannon all day, and as we lay there the 
cannonading grew louder and clearer. General Pope was retreating. 
Suddenly we heard a great noise like a large body of cavalry marching 
toward us. The boys began to wake up and became somewhat fright- 
ened, thinking that the whole army must be upon us in rapid retreat. 
We were all ready for the occasion, when, to our surprise, a drove of 
runaway nmles came tearing down the hill upon whose side we were 
resting. We did not know but it was Pope's whole army, with the 
Rebels at their heels. So much dust was raised by the mules in their 
flight that we could not see what the force was so rapidly approaching 
us. It is needless to say that we yielded the road to the mules without 
any controversy. We were squelched indeed. Not much blood was 
shed in this action and it did not take long to bury our dead. The 
boys got somewhat scattered but the lines were soon reformed. Colo- 
nel Sewell then received orders to countermarch the Regiment back 
to Washington, across the branch of the Potomac and up the ridge 
to Fort Baker. Here we encamped about dark. The boys were 
pretty well tired out and thought they had seen enough of war for the 
first day. We ate our rations and lay down on the ground between 
the rocks and had for our covering the canopy of heaven." 



8 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Mr. Merrick, also contributes the following information 
as to the forts occupied by the different companies of the 
Regiment. 

"Companies A and F went into Fort Greble. Companies B 
and D occupied Fort Baker. Fort Mahan was garrisoned by Companies 
C and G. Company E went into Fort Carroll, and Company H into 
Fort Meigs. Fort Stanton was occupied by Company I, and Company 
K went into Fort Dupont. Later some of the companies were trans- 
ferred to other Forts. Company A went to Fort Baker, and Company 
F was transferred to Fort Mahan. On September 12th Company E, 
was transferred to Fort Meigs, and, some time later. Company I was 
transferred to Fort Davis and afterward to Fort Baker. These forts 
were armed with heavy cannon — 32 and 36 pounders, with eight inch 
howitzers, and some of the forts had mortars. The companies were 
kept busy drilling on heavy artillery and with small arms, doing guard 
duty, fatigue duty, on inspection and dress parade, until September 
30th." 

At some time during our stay at the forts one or two 
companies were in Fort Snyder. These forts were strung up 
and down the Eastern Branch of the Potomac river, with two 
on the Potomac, below the point where these two rivers united. 
Begining at a northern point on the Eastern Branch, the forts 
were located in the following order: — Mahan, Meigs, Dupont, 
Davis, Stanton, Snyder, Carroll and Greble. Fort Carroll was 
near the junction of the Eastern Branch and the Potomac, and 
Fort Greble was down the Potomac, nearly opposite Alexandria. 
While occupying these forts the Regiment was under the im- 
mediate command of Brigadier-General Daniel P. Woodbury. 

Amidst the drilling, camp-guard, picketing, policing the 
grounds and inspections, it was a goodly sight to see the negroes, 
early in the morning, following the winding roads that lead up 
to our forts, laden with melons of all kinds, peaches and other 
fruits. Many a boy in the Regiment had never tasted peaches 
and some of them had never even seen melons. Old, black 
women would climb the hill on the road that led to Fort Greble, 
with a basket of peaches on their heads, a basket of vegetables 
in one hand and a large bag of fruit in the other, and never 
wink. How good that fruit tasted ! A comrade from Company 
E writing of this period says, " I have never eaten sweeter or 
better fruit than in September 1862, when we were fooling 
around in the forts. I can taste it yet." 



ORGANIZATION OF THE REGIMENT 9 

The time spent in the forts was enjoyed by the boys. All 
lived well and the duties were not burdensome. Generally 
on Sunday mornings the soldiers had baked beans to eat, thus 
keeping up the old home custom. These beans were cooked in 
the ground. Holes were dug two or two and a half feet deep 
and wood burned in them until they were half full of live coals. 
Then the beans having been well parboiled, were put into iron 
kettles and baked in these improvised ovens. The beans 
thus cooked were fine. 

The Nineteenth Maine arrived in Washington on August 
28th. The echoes of the guns from the battlefields of Groveton 
and Gainesville had not yet died away. The day we marched 
into the forts east of Washington, we could hear the heavy guns 
from the battlefield of Bull Run, and two days later from Chan- 
tilly. We had enlisted to aid in suppressing the rebellion. The 
outlook for the Union cause at this time was dark. McClellan's 
army had been defeated and driven back from in front of Rich- 
mond. Banks had been forced back from the Rapidan. After 
the withdrawal of McClellan's army from the Peninsula, the 
remnants of the two armies, under Pope, had been beaten in 
the region around Bull Run. The Union army was superior in 
numbers and richer in resources than the Confederates. The 
Confederate soldiers were no better disciplined and were no 
braver than the Union soldiers. Why was it then that we had 
won no important victories in the Army of the Potomac, and 
suffered so many defeats up to this time? 

The cause of our defeats, or, at least, the lack of success, 
is not far to seek. At this time the following general officers 
had important commands in the Confederate Army of Northern 
Virginia: R. E. Lee, "Stonewall" Jackson, Longstreet, the 
two Hills, Ewell, Anderson, Wilcox, Mahone, McLaws, Hamp- 
ton, Fitzhugh Lee and "Jeb"Stuart. All of these officers, except 
those who were killed, remained in the service until the close of 
the war. The very mention of their names suggests their 
fitness to command. 

Now just compare the above list with the Major-Generals 
we had on hand, east of the Alleghanies: McClellan, Hunter, 
Banks, Dix, Morgan, Fitz John Porter, Burnside, Sigel, Cad- 



10 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

walader, Heintzelman, Keyes, Casey, Schenck, Franklin, 
McDowell, Fremont and Wool. In a few months, Butler came 
from New Orleans and his name was added to this list. Instead 
of wondering why the war lasted four years, the wonder is that 
we ever crushed the rebellion. Some of the officers in the above 
list had, in their younger days, rendered valuable service for 
their country. Some of the others were nice, estimable old 
gentlemen. The grizzled, heroic Sumner is not included in 
this list because he does not belong there, and a few months 
later he left the army and went home to die. Through blunder- 
ing experience and sacrifice, the officers who were dependable 
and qualified to command, gradually advanced to the front and 
took up the work. Meade, Hancock, Sedgwick, Reynolds, 
Gibbon, Humphreys, Buford, Wright and Newton were Brig- 
adier-Generals, September ist, 1862. Warren, Barlow, Brooke 
Hunt, Torbert, Carroll, Devens, Getty and Gregg were Colonels. 
Miles, Kilpatrick, Webb and L. A. Grant were Lieutenant- 
Colonels. Smyth was a Major, Wesley Merritt a Captain, and 
Wilson and Custer were First Lieutenants. The brilliant R. S. 
Mackenzie was a Second Lieutenant. 

The South had few political generals arid none with import- 
ant commands. The woods were full of them in the North. 
The South was especially fortunate in discerning their great 
leaders at the beginning. Political influence was a potent 
factor at Washington, in army appointments, in the first years 
of the war. Officers best fitted to command were sidetracked 
for political favorites. We were then too near the events that 
greatly strained the success of the Union cause to be able to 
bring a judicial temper and judgment to the selection of the 
best officers for important commands. 

The late Captain Charles E. Nash, during the first two years 
of the war, wrote many letters from the front to his home paper, 
the Hallowell Gazette. The author feels at liberty to quote 
freely from these letters. They are written in the usual felic- 
itous style of Captain Nash and describe more accurately than 
could the author, the scenes and incidents with which he was 
familiar. Under date of September 15th, 1862, Captain Nash 
wrote: 



ORGANIZATION OF THE REGIMENT II 

"Fort Greble, like its neighbors, is comparatively new, construc- 
ted of earth thrown up in a very neat and substantial manner, and 
surrounded by an almost impenetrable abattis. It mounts thirteen 
32 pounders (barbette) and two heavy siege guns, a number of which 
point in an insinuating manner toward the semi-rebel city of Alexan- 
dria, just across the river. The fort is situated on an eminence directly 
opposite and overlooking the city, and is about six miles distant from 
the city of Washington. It is surrounded by innumerable rifle pits, 
well calculated, to keep the enemy at bay from the fort, even should 
he ever show himself in this region. There are about a dozen fortifi- 
cations of this kind extending up the eastern branch of the Potomac, 
for a distance of ten or twelve miles. The face of the country^ is very 
broken, and almost every hill of any considerable size is surmounted 
by one of these forts. They are all well constructed, and the heavy 
black guns scowling above the parapets present a striking contrast to 
the peaceful forest-clad hills far away in New England. The trees 
have been felled for precautionary^ purposes, within target distances of 
the forts, and hundreds of cords of timber and wood are lying prostrate, 
vmtouched, and wasting away by decay." 

A member of the regiment, who is unwilling to have his 
name used for fear he might be blamed for the recital of an 
event that might properly be omitted from this history, furnish- 
es this incident : 

"While the Regiment was encamped in the forts around Wash- 
ington and before the battle of Antietam, the boys of my Company 
were given to understand that there was great danger of an attack by 
the enemy from the east. It never occurred to us that it might be 
a difficult matter for the enemy to get around in that locality. We 
were reading about the "Black Horse Cavalry," which never existed 
except in the imagination, and we were led to believe most anything. 
The order came for posting a strong picket force some two miles east 
of the fort we were occupying. A hea\"y detail was made from our 
Company and we started out some time before dark. After establish- 
ing the picket reserve, we were posted across the country some distance 
through the woods and low ground covered with bushes north of the 
road that led to Upper Marlboro. The sentinels were posted some ten 
or fifteen rods apart. I was with the reserve post until nearly mid- 
night, when it came my turn to go on the outpost. When the Sergeant 
left me on my post, I remembered our careful instructions that in case 
of an attack, we were to fire at the enemy and then fall back on the 
picket reserve. Left alone, I thought every stump and bush looked 
like men creeping toward me with murderous design. A little after 
midnight the man on the post north of me and beyond where I could 
see, challenged a slowly approaching cow which had been disturbed 
by our movements and whose outline could be dimly seen in the dis- 
tance. The cow, not speaking the same language as the sentinel and 
not understanding the challenge, kept advancing, with evident hostile 
intent, and the soldier fired and after hallooing, started on a run to the 
rear. I took up the alarm and fired my rifle in the direction of the 
supposed enemy and started for the picket reserve. There were some 
scattering shots and a scurrying through the bushes heard in the dis- 
tance. I made a satisfactory run until I struck a swamp into which I 
ran and sank about two feet every jump I made. How I ever got 



12 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

across the swamp has always been a mystery to me. The reserve 
picket was not where I thought it ought to be if it was to be any service 
to me in my present predicament. I heard dogs barking away to my 
right and it was a sort of a welcome and homelike sound. After a 
while I heard men calling in different directions, but in my somewhat 
demoralized condition, I reasoned that men's voices would sound a 
good deal alike, whether the men wore the blue or the gray. So I did 
not propose to be fooled by unwisely answering. I never found that 
picket reserve, but I did find the fort soon after daylight. It was 
a sort of a comfort to me that some of the other pickets found the fort 
before I did. But they were not delayed by swamps and had a better 
instinct as to directions. I have often felt that I would like to look at 
that swamp in daylight and see if I could find my tracks there now." 

Major A. R. Small, in his excellent history of the Sixteenth 
Maine, gives the best description of the green private soldier 
and his trials, which I have ever seen. I have his permission 
to quote it here. 

"Boys of today may think it fun to be a private soldier, but it 
isn't. The picturesque blue and scarlet uniform and jaunty laced cap, 
or symetrical helmet, seen in cuts, are very deceptive, and the whole 
soldierly make-up of a picture is misleading. 

"Be a man ever so much of a man, his importance and conceit 
dwindles when he crawls into an unteaseled shirt, pants too short and 
very baggy behind, coat too long at both ends, and a cap shapeless as 
a feed bag. And the brogans! Weren't they just lovely, with soles 
six inches wide and heels like firkin covers. The ideal picture of a 
soldier makes a veteran smile. He knows the knapsack, which is cut 
to fit in the engraving, is an unwieldy burden with its rough coarse 
contents of flannel and sole-leather and sometimes twenty rounds of 
ammunition extra. Mixed in with those regulation essentials, like 
beatitudes, are photographs, cards, 'housewife,' Testament, pens, ink, 
paper, and oftentimes stolen truck enough to load a mule. All of this 
crowned with a double wool blanket and shelter tent rolled in a rubber 
blanket. One shoulder and the hips support the 'commissary depart- 
ment' — an odorous haversack, which often stinks with its mixture of 
bacon, pork, salt-junk, sugar, coffee, tea, desiccated vegetables, rice, 
bits of yesterday's dinners, and old scraps husbanded with miserly 
care against a day of want sure to come. 

"Oh, the perfume of that haversack! 

"Loaded down, in addition to the above, with a canteen, full 
cartridge-box, belt, cross-belt, and musket, and start on a gunning 
tour wasn't fun. No, it wasn't. 

"A graduate of West Point in his nobby uniform is a thing of 
beauty, made to inspire a boy's admiration. His carriage is superb. 
His posing in the position of a soldier makes an unfledged aspirant for 
military honor green with envy. Under the most trying circumstances 
he preserves an immobile face. No amount of abuse or insult will cause 
him to forget himself. But the recruit in his baggy contract suit, 
practicing 'eyes right,' is an object of both pity and ridicule. He has 
lost his identity, and all his claims to equality with even a fife-major 
are ignored. He finds it harder to hold his temper than to hold his 
little fingers on the seams of his trousers; hence, the first day's drill 
usually ends with solemn promises'to lick seven or eight corporals and a 



ORGANIZATION OF THE REGIMENT 1 3 

lieutenant when the war is over' — and a night in the guard tent for 
calling the drill-sergeant offensively arbitrary, and needlessly particu- 
lar in rehearsing such d — d nonsensical gyrations. 

"A 'private' is anything but private. There is nothing in or- 
about him that is respected as exclusive. The day that he is en- 
listed sees his whole person exposed to the critical eye of the surgeon — 
his lungs sounded, bowels manipulated, limbs bent, joints cracked, 
teeth examined, eyes tested, while he undergoes the closest scrutiny, 
in search of cutaneous eruptions and varicose veins. 

"After a few short months the lice claim close acquaintance, 
and the wood-ticks explore the second and third cuticle. 

"In camp, his tent is ransacked. His knapsack opened every 
Sunday morning to the view of some inspector. His gun, equipments, 
and all there is on or about this private, is made conspicuously public. 
Although the United States Army Regulations guarantee him the 
exclusive privilege of keeping his opinion of officers and measures as 
his private property, he is tortured into expression, and then is publish- 
ed throughout the army as 'prejudicial to good order and military 
discipline,' and he gets into the guard-house. 

"There was no aristocracy among the 'privates.' They were 
thoroughly democratic. A graduate from Harvard and an illiterate 
from the wilds of Maine were often seen affectionately picking lice 
together. 

"Polished scholars and ex-convicts. Christians and Heathen 
bounty- jumpers from the slums of New York would cheat each other 
at 'seven-up.' All would bathe in and drink from the same 
stream, whether prior or subsequent to the watering of the brigade 
mules." 

General McClellan, under Special Orders No. 3, dated 

September 6th, 1862, assigned the Nineteenth to "Franklin's 

Corps, near the Theological Seminary, Va." as a "new regiment.' 

For some reason nothing ever resulted from this assignment. 

The Regiment, with other troops, was ordered on September 

29th to Frederick, under the command of Brigadier-General 

Henry S. Briggs, to be assigned to General Sumner and the 

strength of the Regiment is stated to be 916 men. On the 

next day, September 30th, by special order No. 267, among the 

"new Regiments, now en row/^ for Frederick," the Nineteenth 

was assigned to the second Corps (Sumner) at Harper's Ferry, 

and to Howard's Brigade. This was an error, as it should 

have been Howard's Division. General Sedgwick had been 

in command of the Division until the battle of Antie- 

tam, where he was wounded and General Howard, who was 

then in command of the Pennsylvania Brigade, (Owen's) 

succeeded to the command of Sedgwick's (Second ) Division. 



14 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 



CHAPTER II, 



Harper's Ferry, Bolivar Heights, and the March to 
Warrenton, under General McClellan. 

The letter of Captain Nash under date of October 28th, 
written from Camp Bolivar near Harper's Ferry, with a few 
unimportant omissions, is here inserted. 

"At an early hour on Tuesday morning, September 30th, the 
Regiment evacuated the forts near Washington (in which for a month 
it had been stationed employed in heavy artillery practice) en route 
for Frederick, Md., with orders to report to General McClellan. We 
arrived at the close of the day following, having accomplished the 
journey principally by railroad. Here we bivouacked for two days, 
until the evening of October 2nd, and in the meantime were assigned 
to the Second Corps, Second Division of the army, under Generals 
Sumner and Howard, (now Generals Couch and Gorman,) whose 
headquarters are at Bolivar, Va. On the Friday evening following 
our arrival at Frederick, the Regiment took the train for Harper's 
Ferry, arriving there at midnight, — rather weary, and exceedingly 
pleased at another opportunity of sleeping a few hours on the fair 
bosom of mother earth, with the starry canopy for a covering. Owing 
to the then recent destruction of the railroad bridge across the Potomac, 
the Regiment alighted from the cars and crossed on the pontoon 
bridge, when we found ourselves in the heart of the desolate vUage of 
Harper's Ferry, — amid the relics of the veritable old John Brown, and 
before the walls of his celebrated engine house, where a sentinel, pacing 
his beat in the dim moonlight, looked very much like the old martyr's 
ghost 'marching on.' We picked our way through the narrow street, 
viewing the ruins of the town which has been the center of so many 
tragical associations, as best we could, — the once stately but now 
charred and crumbling walls and few remaining windowless and de- 
serted houses, making it a scene of rather melancholy picturesqueness, 
while the stern sides and heavy overhanging bluffs of the adjacent 
heights, colored the whole with a romantic grandeur similar to that 
which poetizers are wont to adore but seldom witness. We bivouacked 
the remainder of the night about a mile distant from the village, and at 
early dawn set out again for our destination. An hour's march brought 
us to the summit of Bolivar Heights, where we remained two days, 
and then removed to the foot of the Heights, where Colonel Miles com- 
pleted his inglorious surrender a few weeks since. Here we are 'settled 
down' to rest, patiently waiting for the celebrated 'onward movement' 
to take place. 

"About forty men are now on the sick list. Several deaths have 
occurred since leaving Maine, two of which were in Company F, viz : 
privates Loring P. Donnell, of Monmouth, and Charles H. Adams, of 
Litchfield, — two as noble fellows as ever took up arms in their country's 



SERVICE UNDER GENERAL McClELLAN. 



•5 



defense — universally respected and beloved by their comrades, and 
their loss is deeply mourned by the officers and members of their 
company. Their ages were twenty-three and eighteen, respectively. 
We have also recently been called to mourn the death of Captain Cole- 
man, Company B, of Lincolnville, an excellent officer, an honor to the 
Regiment, — and who, after a brief illness, has been called by the Great 
Commander to serve in a higher sphere than any of earth. Our 
quarters are situated a few rods from the street leading through the 
once neat and pleasant hamlet of Bolivar, and about two miles distant 
from Harper's Ferry. On the east the huge summits of Maryland 
Heights loom up against the sky, at the base of which the landscape is 
dotted with the encampments of several brigades; while on the south 
of us, a half mile distant, flows the shallow Shenandoah, which joins 
the Potomac at Harper's Ferry, and walled on its further bank by the 
stern sides of Loudon Heights, from whose lofty summits savage 
batteries look down grimly upon us, as if wishing at one fell swoop to 
wipe out the recent reverse of our army under Colonel Miles, at this 
place. On our west, a few hundred yards distant, Bolivar Heights 
tower above us, the summit and sides of which swarm with infantry, 
artillery, cavalry, baggage trains, and all the appurtenances belonging 
to a campaign. Many of the veteran regiments are encamped here, 
and, suffice it to say, that one regiment occupies an infinitely small 
space compared with the whole. It is interesting after nightfall to 
witness the innumerable camp-fires glimmering in every direction, 
and to listen to the jargon of bugles and drums which at stated times 
call out the army for roll-calls. One who has never witnessed it can 
only imperfectly comprehend the details of a day's service in a divi- 
sion of our army. 

"The weather since we have been here has been beautiful, much 
resembling a New England autumn, although at times rendered a 
little oppressive by heat. Nights are almost invariably chilly and 
uncomfortable . 

"There are but few 'natives' hereabouts, having nearly all skedad- 
dled, or been crowded out of their homes by the deluge of men passing 
through this military channel. It is a sad spectacle, painfully sug- 
gestive of the desolating nature of war, to witness the shattered and 
decaying dwellings, prostrate forests and ruined works of art, visible 
in the vicinity. Harper's Ferry is almost a bed of ashes, and all that 
remains of its once splendid armory are a few crumbling walls, which 
will soon fall to the ground. I have passed twenty-four hours among 
its ruins, — where in future years the traveller and tourist will eagerly 
resort, and which history will point out as the spot where many acts 
in the great tragedy, not yet closed, took place." 

While the Regiment was encamped on Bolivar Heights, 
there was a pile of old, unexploded shells, piled up at one side 
of the camp, which were left over by Colonel Miles at the 
time of the surrender of Harper's Ferry, some weeks before. 
The boys had sense enough, from their experience in the forts, 
to know that they were dangerous to fool with. One day while 
they were cooking their dinners, there came up one of those 
showers, so common in the south. The shower consisted of 
"nine parts wind and one part water." Well, the wind carried 



l6 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

the fire and the coals into the pile of shells and several of them 
exploded. Flying fragments were hurled in all directions. The 
soldiers from the old regiments in the Brigade accused us of 
trying to cook on the ends of the shells. It was noticed, how- 
ever, that they were first in the race down the hill to get out of 
the way of what they imagined to be a flank attack. The 
Philedalphia papers the next day had an exaggerated and 
ludicrous account of the affair. The boys of the Regiment 
never heard the last of it. 

Sometime in October, General Gorman, our Brigade com- 
mander, applied to General Halleck, to be relieved from duty 
with the Army of the Potomac and to be assigned to some com- 
mand in the West. On October i6th, General McClellan, in 
wrting to Halleck, stated that he had been informed of Gor- 
man's desire and he urged him to send him away. He stated 
that the commander of the Division to which Gorman was 
attached was ill and would not probably be able to do duty for 
sometime. General McClellan wrote, "General Gorman is the 
next officer in rank, but I do not consider him in every respect 
suited to such a command. If you can order him to some com- 
mand in the West, I shall be glad." After writing to Halleck, 
urging this matter upon his attention on three separate oc- 
casions, McClellan carried his point. On the first of December 
following, we find General Gorman serving in the Department 
of Missouri, under General Curtis, 

General Gorman was the first Colonel of the First Minne- 
sota Regiment — an organization that furnished the service 
with three Brigadier-Generals. There was no better regiment 
in the service and more than one hundred of its original mem- 
bers were natives of Maine. Gorman had been a prominent Dem- 
ocratic politician in the Minnesota Territory in ante-bellum days. 
He had the reputation of being willing to fight even before the 
war broke out. He was "eloquent in vituperation." The men 
of the Nineteenth, when on brigade drill in the vicinity of 
Harper's Ferry, frequently heard him swear and curse regimen- 
tal and line officers so that he could be heard half a mile away. 
He was a brave officer, however, and was solicitous for the wel- 



SERVICE UNDER GENERAL MCCLELLAN 17 

fare of his soldiers and manifested great affection for his regi- 
ment. He was succeeded in command of our Brigade by 
General Sully, another First Minnesota officer, on the 29th 
of October, the day before we left Harper's Ferry. 

By noon, October 30th, the Regiment took its place in the 
line and the column moved down the Shenandoah river, near its 
junction with the Potomac, and crossed over. The column then 
passed around the northerly end of Loudon Heights, and moved 
south up the beautiful Loudon valley. This was a splendid 
fertile country. Grain had been harvested and was in stacks. 
Forage was plentiful and cattle and sheep could be seen upon 
every side. The first day's march was only about ten miles. 
The sound of cannonading in the distance indicated that our 
cavalry, scouting in advance, had come upon small bodies of 
the enemy. We camped near Hillsborough, where we re- 
mained all the next day. The Regiment started just before 
noon on the ist of November and proceeded about five miles and 
formed in line of battle on the left of the road. After waiting 
for the cavalry to clear the way for us, we marched a few miles 
further and went into camp. Fine rail fences abounded on 
every side and large fires were kept burning far into the night. 
While the days were warm and comfortable for marching, the 
nights were frosty and the fires kept the men from suffering. 
We marched November 2nd to Bloomfield, some distance south 
of Snicker's Gap, and on the 3rd we reached Upperville, near 
Ashby's Gap. Our march had been up the valley near the 
Blue Ridge Mountains. When between Upperville and Paris, 
we ran up against the rear guard of the enemy, but General 
Pleasonton's cavalry made short work of clearing the road for 
us. We formed in line of battle but were again disappointed 
in having no serious work to do. 

Horace L. Smith, of Company F, furnishes the following 
amusing anecdote: 

"When two or three days out from Harper's Ferry a laughable 
incident occurred, which many of the men will remember. We were 
marching in a sunken road, up a long hill with woods on our right and 
clear land on our left. We could see nothing on our left but the sub- 
merged side of the road and a high rail fence at the top. We were 
moving along very slowly while the cavalry was skirmishing at a 
distance in front. Suddenly a deep rumbling sound was heard up the 



l8 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

hill and troops were seen rushing pell-mell from the road in front as 
though to escape some impending catastrophe. No orders were given, 
but there was a fierce struggle between the line officers and the boys as 
to who should first reach and climb over that fence at the top of the 
embankment. In an incredibly short space of time the road was clear- 
ed for any old purpose for which anybody might want to use it. Not 
only were the boys of the Nineteenth, with a full complement of officers 
over the fence and mingled in confusion, but Massachusetts vied with 
Minnesota and New York in reaching the coveted elevation. And the 
old regiments, we had been told, never ran! Before many explanations 
had been exchanged to account for the sudden flank movement, the 
officers sheepishly requested the men to resume their places in the road 
below. The rumbhng sound had been caused by throwing down a stone 
wall, to permit batteries in advance to go into position. It was one of 
those unaccountable, ludicrous stampedes that sometimes occur among 
large bodies of men. We soon went into camp in the woods on the 
right of the road and around camp-fires that night the boys rehearsed 
the incidents connected with the Regiment's first charge by the left 
flank." 

Thus far it had been fine Indian summer weather since we 
had left Harper's Ferry. The soldiers lived well, but the 
farmers on the line of march contributed liberally to the boys, 
commissary department. Despite most stringent orders against 
foraging, every morning, the ground between the different 
encampments of the regiments was covered with sheep skins 
and feathers from turkeys, geese and hens that had given their 
lives, during the preceding night, for the relief of the hungry 
soldiers. Officers threatened, and occasionally a soldier was 
arrested and compelled to march with the provost guard for 
a day or two. His well stufl'ed haversack and smiling face 
indicated however that the punishment was not regarded as 
very serious. The soldiers simply could not resist the tempta- 
tion. We were marching through a region of country that had 
never been desolated by war. When this region was visited 
by a member of the Regiment more than thirty years after the 
war, the old inhabitants attempted to describe the march of 
McClellan's Army through their country in the fall of '62. 
During the recital of their wrongs their faces did not wear an 
especially pleased or benevolent expression. 

The Regiment reached Paris and the vicinity of Ashby's 
Gap on Tuesday afternoon, November 5th. Here fifty or 
seventy-five Confederate prisoners, captured by General Pleas- 
sonton, came back from the front. Paris contained about 
forty or fifty old houses, many of them in a very dilapidated 




John Day Smith, 
Historian. 



SERVICE UNDER GENERAL MCCLELLAN 



19 



condition. We had not seen an able-bodied man among the 
citizens since leaving Harper's Ferry. They were absent with 
Mosby and in the Confederate Army. 

On the night of the 3rd, our Regiment was on a skirmish 
line part of the night, supported by other regiments. While 
at Paris, Generals McClellan and Burnside visited our Corps. 
We passed the 7th of November in the woods some four miles 
from Ashby's Gap, having spent the preceding night in an open 
field. There was a northeast snowstorm of several inches and 
it was a bitterly cold night. The most of the time was spent by 
the men outside of their tents around the camp fires. Water 
froze in our canteens. We continued on our march through 
Rectortown and Salem, arriving at Warrenton on Sunday, 
November 9th, where we pitched our shelter tents, remaining 
there several days wondering what the next movement would 
bring forth. 

On the night of November 7th, General McClellan was 
relieved from the command of the Army of the Potomac and 
General Burnside placed in command. Rumors of this change 
in commanders reached the Regiment the next day. 

McClellan took leave of our Corps and the Fifth, at War- 
renton, on the loth of November. The Second Corps, under 
General Couch, was drawn up on one side of the Centerville 
pike, and the Fifth, under General Butterfield, on the opposite 
side. General McClellan, with his large body of brilliantly 
dressed staff officers, rode between the lines, and this was the 
last the boys ever saw of "Little Mac." The soldiers who had 
long served under him greatly regretted his departure. He was 
respected and loved by them. 

The President could not be blamed for desiring a change 
in the commanders- of the Army of the Potomac but no one 
has ever been found who could give a good reason for placing 
Burnside in that responsible position. The removal of Mc- 
Clellan was deserved and right but inopportune. The right 
thing done at the wrong time is sometimes as harmful as the 
wrong thing done at any time. At least two propitious oc- 
casions had occurred for such action, one at Harrison's Landing 



20 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

in the midsummer of 1862, after McClellan's disastrous cam- 
paign before Richmond and when he wrote his impertinent 
letter to the President, and the other after the battle of Antietam, 
at the time he refused to move with his army after having been 
positively ordered to do so. It seemed now as though having 
started out on an advanced movement with the army, he ought 
to have had a chance to show what he could do with his plan of 
campaign, if he had any. 

"McClellan would have been an excellent Chief-of-staff but was 
unfit for the command of an army. He was as utterly without audac- 
ity as Lee was full of it. His one fine quality was his ability to organ- 
ize and discipline. He constructed a superb machine, which, being 
once constructed, would fight a battle with skill and courage if only 
let alone. MeClellan during the Seven Days, let it alone, absenting 
himself as if by instinct. Never but at the battle of Shanpsburg was he 
present on any field, and his presence there, by keeping Porter's Corps 
out of the action, made a drawn fight of what would otherwise have 
been a Federal victory." 1 

On the 20th of September after the battle of Antietam, 
General McClellan reported his aggregate force present for duty 
as 82,233 and as absent from command 75,000 soldiers. He 
reported as present for duty on the loth of October 1862, 
129,000 men, and as present and absent a total of 200,000 men. 
All of these statements are exclusive of the Third and Eleventh 
Corps. After General Stuart had ridden completely around the 
Army of the Potomac, President Lincoln suggested to McClellan 
that if the enemy had more occupation south of the Potomac 
his cavalry would not be so likely to make raids north of it. 
McClellan had been an engineer officer in the regular army and 
the President is reported to have said that he seemed to be best 
fitted for a stationary engineer. 

General Longstreet states in his Military Memoirs that 
when General McClellan was removed, General Lee remarked 
to him that he regretted to part with McClellan, "for," he said, 
"we always understood each other so well. I am afraid they 
will continue to make these changes until they find some one 
whom I do not understand." General McClellan had never 
won a decisive victory with the Army of the Potomac. He was 
bold in conception but terribly slow in execution. He never 



1 Military Memoirs of a Confederate, by General E. P. Alexander, 
p. 224. 



SERVICE UNDNR GENERAL MCCLELLAN 21 

sought to win a battle by his inspiring presence on the battle- 
field. When on the Peninsula, he claimed to have information 
that the enemy had 200,000 men. He was entirely destitute of 
the ability to form a just estimate of the strength'of hisopponent. 
He always saw double, when he looked toward the enemy. He 
was continually calling for reinforcements. Even on Sepetmber 
23rd, after the battle of Antietam, he notified the War Depart- 
ment that "General Summer, with his Corps and William's, 
occupies Harper's Ferry and the surrounding heights. I think 
he will be able to hold his position till reinforcements arrive!" 

McClellan certainly did not lack confidence in his own 
ability. After being relieved of his command, he wrote his 
wife as follows: 

"They have made a great mistake. Alas for my country! 
* * * The order depriving me of the command created an 

immense deal of deep feeling in the army — so much so that 
many were in favor of my refusing to obey the order and of 
marching upon Washington to take possession of the govern- 
ment!"! 

The question often arises in the minds of the student 
of history as to what would have been the fate of McClellan, 
Buell, Rosecrans, Banks, McDowell and other discredited 
military leaders had they become prominent as commanders, 
late in the war. It is generally conceded that we had skillful 
and competent officers who were scrificed in 1861 and 1862 to 
the nation's ignorance of war. No doubt General McClellan 
would have suceeeded on staff duty or in the cabinet of the 
President. His ability as an organizer is universally recognized. 
He was a courteous gentleman and his character was above 
reproach. He recognized that he commanded men, not ma- 
chines. He had the rare faculty of captivating others — a 
quality that comes to a man by nature, when it comes at all. 
The dignity of his position did not prevent him from visiting 
hospitals and kindly greeting there the wounded or speaking a 
word of cheer on the march to a sick or exhausted soldier by 
the roadside. Here, to a great extent, lay the secret of the 
enthusiastic devotion of his soldiers. Many of his admirers 

iMcClellan's Own Story pp. 624, 652 and 660. 



22 THE NINETEETTH MAINE REGIMENT 

and partisans during the war were ignorant of the reasons which 
actuated the government in the removal of McClellan. Very 
many of these same men, after the war, acknowledged the 
wisdom of the President's action. 



BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG 23 



CHAPTER III, 



BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG. 

Upon assuming command, General Burnside formed the 
army into three Grand Divisions. The Right Grand Division 
was commanded by General E. V. Sumner and consisted of the 
Second Corps, General D. N. Couch, and the Ninth Corps, 
General O. B. Willcox. The Center Grand Division was com- 
manded by General Joseph Hooker and was composed of the 
Third Corps, General George Stoneman, and the Fifth, General 
Daniel Butterfield. The Left Grand Division had for its com- 
mander General W. B. Franklin and consisted of the Sixth 
Corps, General W. F. Smith, and the First Corps, General J. 
F. Reynolds. General Pleasanton commanded the cavalry. 
The strength of the army was about 125,000 men. With this 
magnificent army, Burnside decided to move to the left and 
seize Fredericksburg, on the lower Rappahannock. After 
sending the sick and disabled to Washington, the o d Second 
Corps struck out in advance for Falmouth, leaving Warren- 
ton Junction on the morning of November 15th and reaching 
the vicinity of Falmouth in the afternoon of the 17th. The 
distance covered was forty mi!es, and through a deso'ate look- 
ing country, with occasional farm houses. The Corps marched 
in three columns, one Division on the road and the other two 
through the fields on either side of the road. Our Division was 
on the left. 

It appears that when we left Warrenton, Burnside's plan 
was to move to Falmouth, cross the river there and occupy 
Fredericksburg at once. Then he proposed, after supplying 
the army with provisions from Acquia Creek, to push south, 
in the direction of Richmond. At that time one-half of the 
Army of Northern Virginia was clustered around Culpepper 
Court House, under Longstreet, and the other half in the valley 



24 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

of the Shenandoah, fifty miles away, under Jackson. When 
the Second Corps reached Falmouth, Fredericksburg was occu- 
pied by a regiment of cavalry, four companies of infantry and a 
light battery. The promised pontoons were not at Falmouth 
when we arrived. Indeed, the very day we left Warrenton, 
Burnside was informed that our pontoon train might be ready 
to start from Washington by water on the i6th or 17th. That 
was the time that Burnside ought to have recalled Sum.ner's 
Grand Division and not developed his plan of action to the Con- 
federates until his pontoons were ready for immediate use. 
The pontoon train did not arrive at Falmouth until eight days 
after the head of the Second Corps had appeared on the heights 
of Falmouth before the eyes of the astonished Confederates. 
A small Confederate battery of four guns v/as stationed north 
of Fredericksburg, and General Couch ordered forward one of our 
batteries, which, in a few minutes, put to flight the Confederate 
gunners, who hastily hauled their guns behind buildings out of 
sight. General Sumner sought permission from Burnside to 
cross troops at one of the fords and take possession of the city. 
This was refused. So through one of those frequent and 
wretched blunders that stand out on the pages of our history, 
we were compelled to wait for our pontoons and watch Long- 
street's troops, who began arriving on the 19th, constructing 
intrenchments, which would later cost us thousands of lives in 
our vain attempt to capture. 

The Confederate army was now divided, and ours was con- 
centrated. Jackson, v/ith one-half of the Confederate force, 
was in the Shenandoah valley, nearly one hundred miles away. 
The opportunity to get between the widely separated Corps of 
the Confederate army and attack one before the other could 
come to its relief, never appears to have suggested itself to 
General Burnside. It was such an opportunity as General Lee 
would not have failed to profit by. 

Falmouth consisted of a small collection of old houses under 
a bluff on the north side of the Rappahannock about a mile 
above Fredericksburg. It was noted as being the birthplace of 
the Confederate Secretary of War, J. A. Seddon, who had served 



BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG 25 

in Congress, years before the war. One of the houses in this 
little hamlet was pointed out as having been the residence of 
Duff Green, a member of President Jackson's " Kitchen Cabinet" 
and who was sent as a confidential messenger by Buchanan to 
Lincoln near the close of the former's administration. Buchan- 
an asked Lincoln to come to Washington ostensibly for the pur- 
pose of counsel and advice, but really that Lincoln might share 
in the odium of the vacillation and cowardice of the closing 
months of Buchanan's administration. Mr. Lincoln was too 
shrewd to be caught in this little trap. Oliver Wendell Holmes, 
then a Captain in the Twentieth Massachusetts, now a member 
of the Supreme Court of the United States, was provost mar- 
shall at Falmouth during the time between the battles of Freder- 
ricksburg and Chancellorsville. 

Who of the boys will ever forget "Smoky Hollow"? It 
rained a great deal and we tried to make fires out of wet wood. 
The smoke settled to the ground and sometimes one could 
scarcely see his neighbor ten feet away, by reason of the smoke. 
Some of the time it was bitterly cold and much sickness pre- 
vailed in the Regiment. 

On the 22nd of November, the Regiment marched about 
eight miles on the road to Belle Plain landing, on the Potomac 
Creek, where all our supplies came now, and went to building 
corduroy roads. This work was done by cutting small logs, 
some fifteen or eighteen feet long, placing them side by side and 
covering them with branches and dirt. It was over this road 
that our supplies came until the railroad was in operation. The 
Maine regiments had their full share ofthis kind of work, because 
most of the men from Maine knew how to handle an axe. It 
was rich entertainment to watch the New Yorkers in our Bri- 
gade trying to cut down a tree. They would hack a circle about 
six inches wide around the tree and keep at it, hitting as near 
the center of the circle as they could, until the tree yielded. It 
was still more entertaining to see some green, officious Lieuten- 
ant of our Regiment, from the city, instructing some lumber- 
man soldier as to the proper way to do this work. 

Thanksgiving day came on Thursday, November 27th, 



26 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

and it was a cheerless day. The boys' dinner generally con- 
sisted of hard bread and salt pork. Thoughts of home and 
loved ones and the gloomy outlook in camp, did not add to the 
day's enjoyment. It was here that the cheerful optimist and 
the company joker, more necessary to the health of the army 
than surgeons, got in their work. One of these useful individ- 
uals would come up to a large, smoky camp-fire, surrounded by 
gloomy and disconsolate soldiers, and in a few minutes a shout 
of laughter would be heard and the scene would change 
from one of despondency to cheerfulness. On December 5th 
the Regiment returned and went into camp near Falmouth. It 
was bitterly cold on December 7th. The ground was covered 
with snow and ice and there was much suflfering among the 
men. 

The casualt'es of the Nineteenth were so small in the 
battle of Fredericksburg that no detailed description of the 
battle is necessary in writing the history of the Regiment. In- 
deed, it was not a battle, it was a slaughter. The Colonel's 
report would add nothing to our information if quoted here. 

Lee's army in this engagement contained about 80,000 
men. The bulk of his army occupied a circling ridge, begin- 
ning on our right above Falmouth near the river, and extending 
southeasterly some six miles to the neighborhood of Hamilton's 
Crossing on the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Rail- 
road, and near the Massaponax river. The right of the Confeder- 
ate line was within about a mile of the Rappahannock and 
some five miles south of Fredericksburg. Between the Rappa- 
hannock and this ridge was a wide plain sloping upwards to the 
base of this ridge. Fredericksburg, a city of some 4000 people, 
lies in this plain next to the Rappahannock and less than a mile 
distant from Marye's Heights. Before the war, Fredericksburg 
was remembered as the home of Washington's mother and 
of that revolutionary hero. General Mercer, who was mortally 
wounded at the battle of Princeton. 

Washington's mother lived for many years in a small stone 
house, still standing, on the corner of Charles and Lewis Streets. 
She died and was buried from this house. Her unfinished monu- 



BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG 2'] 

ment stood in the open space above the town as a rebuke to the 
Confederate forces, facing her grave, who were attempting to 
destroy the government her son did so much to establish. 

General Burnside did not seem to have any definite plan 
of battle, or if he did, no one has ever yet been able to find out 
what it was. General Hunt, chief of artillery, began to occupy 
our side of the Rappahannock with guns after dark on the 
loth of December. One hundred and forty-seven cannon were 
placed in position to cover the crossing of our troops. General 
Franklin, with more than one-half of the army, crossed on the 
left, some two miles below Fredericksburg, upon two pontoon 
bridges. General Sumner, with his own Grand Division, one 
Division of the Third Corps and two of the Ninth crossed at 
Fredericksburg and held the right of the line. Sumner's losses 
in this battle comprised seven-tenths of the killed and wounded 
of the army. 

Our Regiment was called up long before daybreak on the 
morning of December nth and marched with the Division to 
the vicinity of the Lacy House. The Engineer Corps under- 
took to lay the pontoon bridges. Some Mississippi troops, under 
Barksdale, in rifle pits and cellars on the opposite side of the 
river, permitted our engineers to construct the pontoon bridges 
to the middle of the stream, when they concluded to put a 
stop to the work. They soon drove every one of the engineers 
from their post and from the river, killing and wounding several . 
Then our artillery opened, poundingthe city with shot and shell 
and the cannoneer opposite the point where the bridges were 
building, depressed their pieces so as to rake the rifle pits and 
the troublesome houses, where the Confederates were secreted. 
Then the artillery would suspend firing and the engineers at- 
tempt to resume their work on the bridges. The concealed 
Confederates would drive them ofl again. Over and over again 
this was repeated. At last General Hunt or Colonel Halli com- 

1 Norman J. Hall, a West Point graduate, was a Second Lieutenant 
under Major Anderson at Fort Sumter in April, 1861. He was made 
Colonel of the Seventh Michigan July 7th, '62, but was compelled by- 
ill health to leave the service in June '64. Colonel Hall was a fine 
officer and generally commanded the Second Brigade of our Division 
until the Wilderness campaign. 



28 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

manding the Third Brigade of our Division, suggested what 
ought to have been done in the early morning. That was to 
have men row across in the pontoon boats and drive the small 
force of riflemen away. Upon the advice and consent of General 
Hunt this method was now adopted. The Seventh Michigan, 
Colonel Hall's regiment, volunteered for the work to a man, 
and the Nineteenth Massachusetts, under Captain Weymouth, 
volunteered to support the Michigan men. So the matter was 
arranged and the Seventh Michigan led the way across the river 
in boats. They lost some men in crossing. The Massachusetts 
men hurried across as a support. They cleared the streets of 
the city next to the river and the pontoon bridges were hastily 
completed. Our Brigade was the second to cross the river. 
The Thirty-fourth New York had the lead and the First Minne- 
sota brought up the rear. Companies B and D, under command 
of Major Cunningham, were detached to support Battery E, 
Second U. S. artillery, commanded by Lieutenant Benjamin, and 
did not cross the river with us. We marched up Fauquier 
street a short distance in a direct line with the bridge until we 
came near Caroline street, where there was some firing. The 
Regiment spent the night in the streets of the city. That was 
a memorable night in the history of the Regiment. Few men 
recrossed the river at the close of the battle without bringing 
back some trophy by which to remember the city. Some of 
the boys slept on feather beds spread in the streets. There were 
no very stringent orders — certainly none that were obeyed — 
against going into the residences and helping oneself. There 
were some amusing spectacles resulting from our indulgence in 
the various intoxicants found in the cellars of residences, but to 
the honor of our soldiers it can be said, that no woman or child 
was insulted or treated with disrespect while we occupied the 
city. 

After the first night south of the river, the Regiment 
moved from place to place on the extreme right of the line with 
great frequency. The 12th of December was a very foggy day. 
The Second Corps held the extreme right of our line, with a por- 
tion of the Ninth Corps on its left. In the morning of the 12th, 



BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG 29 

the Regiment moved out toward the front and was placed, with 
the Brigade, behind a small ridge near the town. The next 
morning two companies of the Regiment were detailed to relieve 
a portion of the Fifteenth Massachusetts on an outpost. The 
Regiment moved out Hanover street early in the afternoon of 
the 13th, following Owen's Brigade. 

Marye's Heights was held by Longstreet and dur- 
ing the terrific storm of lead and iron, where thousands 
of brave men were uselessly sacrificed, our Regiment was com- 
paratively unharmed. Perhaps a postscript in General Burn- 
side's order for battle had something to do with saving us. The 
postscript was as follows:— "As Howard's Division led into 
the town, it is proper that one of the others take the advance." 
Marye's Heights was held by Longstreet's Corps, but the greater 
part of his troops were as much spectators of the battle as were 
the Union troops around the Lacy House. 

It would be unprofitable to attempt to describe the sicken- 
ing details of the unprecedented and criminal slaughter of our 
troops as they charged hopelessly against the impregnable Con- 
federate works along Marye's Heights. 

On the morning of December 13th, our Brigade was moved 
with the Division to the right of the city, our Brigade being on 
the extreme right of the army. The fog lifted about ten o'clock, 
so that we could see the Confederate works, and the useless 
slaughter began just before noon. We could dimly see through 
the smoke the attacks of the Divisions of French and Hancock 
of our Corps, as they bravely crossed the canal and the plain 
swept by the enemy's batteries and charged against the stone 
wall at the foot of Marye's Heights. One lone Union soldier 
got within thirty yards of the Confederate lines and fell dead, 
a sacrifice to Burnside's incompetency. The dead bodies of a 
few others were found after the battle from fifty to a hundred 
yards distant from the Confederate fortifications. The great 
bulk of our losses was received when our men were within from 
two to four hundred yards of the enemy's lines. 

The stupidity and obstinacy of Burnside led him, late in the 
afternoon of the 1 3th, to issue urgent orders that the Confederate 
works must be carried before night. 



30 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

At the beginning of the battle, General E. P. Alexander, 
Chief of Artillery in Longstreet's Corps, said to General Long- 
street, with reference to the plain over which our troops must 
charge: "General, we cover that ground so that we will 
comb it as with a fine-tooth comb. A chicken could not live 
on that field when we open on it." General Alexander was 
pretty nearly right. 

Less than one-half of the troops in Lee's army was actually 
engaged. 

Sergeant Samuel Smith, of Company F, contributes his 
experience in this battle: 

"My experience in the battle of Fredericksburg was something I 
shall not soon forget and a part of which I will relate. The few of us 
now left that were there at that time will remember the ^rst night that 
we crossed the river into the city of Fredericksburg. Street fighting 
was going on all night and, although we were not in advance, we had 
plenty to do and none of the boys got any rest. Well do I remember the 
old wooden pump at the corner of the street, where I stopped to get 
water and counted seven of our boys stretched on the ground about the 
pump, where Rebel sharpshooters concealed in a building near by had 
picked them off as fast as they came there for water The next day 
we were on duty all day, though not much fighting was done on our 
part of the line. The whole army seemed to be preparing for the strug- 
gle of the 13th, in which part of our Brigade took an active part. 
That night found us on the firing line and after it became quite dark, 
an officer came walking along in front of our line. As the men would 
raise their heads to see who it could be, the officer would say, 'General 
Howard, boys. General Howard;' and the sound of his voice and the 
knowledge that he was there seemed to give the men some assurance. A 
little later we had orders to fall into line quietly, which we did and fell 
back a short distance. We were then told that we could get some 
rest, which the men felt that they needed. Not all of us had the good 
fortune to remain there long. About nine o'clock I heard an orderly 
inquiring for our Orderly Sergeant. Sergeant Rideout made his ap- 
pearance and the orderly said to him, 'Sergeant, detail a resolute man 
from your company to go on an outpost in the face of the enemy. ' Well, 
I thought I was safe. None of the boys seemed to want that job. Ser- 
geant Rideout came down the line, where most of the men were already 
asleep and touched me with his boot and said, 'Get up and report for 
duty with this man.' I did as ordered, and as we went along, he 
gathered up one man from each company in the Nineteenth and I think 
some more in the rest of the Brigade. We were conducted to a house 
well up on the right, where a reserve picket was quartered. At about 
twelve o'clock I was taken out by the Sergeant to a position well up 
on the side of a hill and very close to the rebel pickets. I was stationed 
behind a large, square, white oak gate post, such as was common in 
that part of the country, the sides of which were well torn and splintered 
by rebel bullets that had hit it the day before. This was some distance 
in front of a residence which I have since learned belonged to a Dr. 
Taylor. I was not placed there to fight, but to watch, and my orders 
were to remain there until relieved, unless driven in. The time of my 



BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG 



3« 



relief was very uncertain, and, as may be supposed, I remained on my 
side of the gate post. In the morning it was very unsafe to reUeve me and 
it would have been very unsafe for me to have gone back to our lines, 
While lying there that forenoon, I was in plain view of our artillery 
on the other side of the river and which was firing more or less during 
that time. Their shells dropped about on a line with the place where I 
lay, and not a shot, as far as I could see, reached up to the rebel works 
on the heights. 

"Sometime in the forenoon. General Howard and his staff rode 
out to a residence in the outskirts of the city and below my position 
and in about one minute a rebel battery got their bearing and sent sev- 
eral shells in quick succession down through the trees and shrubbery 
where these officers were watching, whereupon they vacated their 
point of observation in a hurry. I remained on that post until about 
twelve o'clock, when a Sergeant from the Fifteenth Massaclausetts came 
out to my post and conducted me back to our lines. This was well up 
to our right, and I immediately started to hunt up the old Regiment, 
which I found down toward the center and just drawn up for an ad- 
vance to the front. I had been forty-eight hours without sleep and 
twelve hours under fire." 

It is almost miraculous that no citi.zens were wounded 
in Fredericksburg, so far as is known. Few women were seen, 
as the few who remained there kept within the houses. At one 
time when our boys were attempting to get out of the range of 
shells which came ricochetting and bursting down over Hanover 
Street, a young woman of respectable appearance was seen 
walking along the street, apparently unconcerned, paying no 
attention whatever to the bursting shells. The contrast be- 
tween her attitude and that of the soldiers was at least inter- 
esting. 

In General Sully's official report of the battle, he makes the 
following complimentary allusion to the Regiment: — "It 
would be impossible for me to make any distinction in the con- 
duct of the regiments of the Brigade ;but it may, however be my 
duty to especially notice the Nineteenth Regiment Maine Volun- 
teers, who for the first time smelled gunpowder, and apparently 
did not dislike the smell of it." 

Lieutenant-Colonel Heath commanded the Regiment from 
Saturday, December 13th, until we recrossed the river, — Colonel 
Sewell being sick. 

The losses in the Union Army in this battle were about 
12,500 men. The Confederate losses were about one-third of 
this number, the greater part of which occured on our left, where 
our men had at least some chance of success. The casualties 



32 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

in the old Second Corps were 3850, the largest loss which any 
corps suffered. 

The following is a list of the wounded of the Nineteenth 
Maine in the battle of Fredericksburg: 

Company F. 
John E. Brann, Dec. 13th, shght. 

Company G. 
First Lieutenant Everett M. Whitehouse, Dec. 13th, shell wound, 
slight. 

Gilmore T. Barter, wounded in foot, Dec. 13th. Horace Holmes' 
wounded in hand, Dec. 12th. 

Company I. 
Corporal William E. Evans, wounded Dec. 13th. 

Under date of January ist, Captain Nash wrote as follows: 

"The enemy are still in the Sebastopol behind Fredericksburg, 
and continue to strongly picket their shore of the river. They appear 
to be fortifying their present almost impregnable position, with con- 
siderable industry. Until the recent order from headquarters, pro- 
hibiting communication between pickets, the rebels would manifest 
a very fraternizing disposition, and frequently forded the river for the 
purpose of paying our soldiers a friendly visit. These specimens of the 
rebel army complain much of being in need of blankets, and evince a 
strong regard for Federal overcoats, frequently opening conversation 
by striving to barter for one. Tobacco, of which they are abundantly 
supplied, is their standard commodity, and which they gladly exchange 
for coffee, jackknives, pipes, portemonnaies, etc. Our soldiers have had 
instruction to let them have no clothing, under any circumstances. 

"A few weeks since, our Regiment was picketing a portion of the 
Rappahannock, when a detachment of greybacks came down to the 
shore and inquired if they might cross. They were told that if they 
brought no weapons with them they would not be detained, so over 
they came, loaded with tobacco. They were of the Tenth Alabama 
Regiment. A lieutenant came with them. Tobacco is an article con- 
tinually in demand among soldiers, and of which at that time our 
Regiment was nearly destitute. It is needless for me to say, that a 
good supply of the stuff was husbanded by the Nineteenth on that day. 
All officers, of course, discountenanced such proceedings and burned 
all they could get. If the rebels are not open to the crime of conveying 
comfort to their enemies, I am no judge. Since the return of the Nine- 
teenth from Fredericksburg, we have occupied our old quarters and kill 
time by company and battalion drills. Our camp is two miles above 
Fredericksburg and but a short distance from the little village of 
Falmouth. We are near the river, and within shelling distance of the 
rebels. Three lines of rebel fortifications can be distinctly seen. 

"There has been considerable sickness in this Regiment since the 
cold weather set in and its numbers have decreased sadly. The sick 
and wounded have been sent to Washington, and other places. Our 
Brigade is composed of the Nineteenth Maine, Thirty-fourth New York, 
Fifteenth Massachusetts, Eighty-second New York and First Minne- 
sota Regiments; and is at present commanded by Colonel Morehead, 



BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG 33 



of Pennsylvania. General Howard commands our Division He 
sSerlpLr^oluLs^"" ^^ '^'' -^"-^^ -^--^- ^^at^emp?; 
"As to the recent battle of Fredericksburg, I have little to write 
We were there, and came back again. The Nineteenth has elfcied 
much praise for its coolness. While the dead were multiplv^n' bv 
scores, all around, not a soldier of the Nineteenth wa^ knnwn /rri'^ J 
notwithstanding a whole brigade, only a few paces L the rear b^otl 
and ran Our brigade was the second to crossThe river and r'emaSe J 
in front nearly the entire four days, hourly exposed to the murderous 
shells of the enemy, as they crashed through the buildings Probably 
a more dangerous, important and honorable position we will never 
again be called upon to occupy for so long a period. Thl greatest 
calamity of all to our cause, was the fact that iur army wilbwl 
to retire from the hard-fought field. But this need not disToura^e^s 
The rebels will not meet us in open field. They know, from very sad 
experience that the Yankees can fight as well and die as noWv Is 
the best of chivalry. We will cage them by and by. So let us con- 
tinue to trust in Providence and General Burnside. Colonel Sew^uSf 

?oW?ShAL^L?p?ac: '-^^ ^^°"^ '^^ ^°"^™^-^- L-^^-^-t! 

After the battle of Fredericksburg, the moral spirit and con- 
fidence of the army were greatly impaired. A gloomier or more 
disconsolate body of men it would be difficult to find. The lack 
of confidence in General Burnside was general throughout the 
army. The men were willing to fight and sacrifice where they 
had a fair show, but they objected to giving their lives an un- 
availing sacrifice to the blundering stupidity and incapacity of 
their commanders. The newspaper conception that soldiers 
were "eager for the fray" was more of a fiction than a reality. 
During the gloomy days at Falmouth after the battle of 
Fredericksburg it was a welcome sight to see Tom Child, the 
regimental postmaster, on that old, white horse, come cantering 
across the plain below our camp. It meant to many letters and 
papers from home. Child afterward became First Lieutenant 
of Company E, Thirty-first Maine Regiment. 

The interesting comments and reminiscences of Lieutenant 
George R. Palmer, who during this period was acting Orderly 
Sergeant of Company I, are worthy of insertion here. 

"A general of ancient times made himself famous for buildino- a 
bridge known m classic literature as the 'Pons Asinorum.' If instead 
ot boats, General Burnside had utilized the backs of asses upon which 
to lay his bridges, and the asses had run away before the army crossed 
tne Rappahannock, the result would have been much better for the 
Union torces. It has been affirmed that this pontoon bridge crossed 
by our Regiment was laid in as hazardous a place as any position used 
lor such crossing during the war. The buildings along the river bank 



34 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

that were struck by the shot and shell of our artillery before we crossed, 
upon our return were gazing provokingly at our rear. We marched into 
quarters at Falmouth upon a gentle rise of ground and on the up-river 
side of our crossing. While the hill was in view from the river bank 
below, the fact that we were to pass the winter there was not thought of 
when we had taken our position. Could we have known earlier, much 
better would we have fatted the situation and made the environment 
fit ourselves. 

"Fredericksburg, our first battle, had been a discouraging intro- 
duction to the real conflict of war. Before the battle. General Howard 
the Havelock of the army, addressed the Regiment in a speech, the 
design of which was to raise our hopes that in a short time we should 
drive the enemy from the heights of Fredericksburg. As the soldiers 
had been in sight of that semi-circle of strong fortresses commanding 
the situation, probably the hopes of many were mingled with fears. 
But as the enemy had been on the retreat and we had little knowledge 
of military strategy, we knew no better than to believe trustworthy 
men, even when forecasting the slippery contingencies of war. The 
descent from elevated anticipations only brought the men to lower 
depression. 

"With little experience in marching, the Regiment made the dis- 
tance from Harper's Ferry, were exposed to heavy rains and were 
assigned to work on the Belle Plain corduroy. When men who had 
never seen lumber regions, girdled trees, hacked them down and felled 
them criss-cross as though they were playing jack straws, the Maine 
soldier, — the man with the axe, was brought into service where he had 
not the best chances to take care of himself. This being our first win- 
ter in army life, we had not become acclimated. With little to sustain 
the mind of the men in a state of expectancy, with all the features of 
the holiday now gone, and gone forever, with homesick yearnings 
weighing heavily on the heart after the disappointment and chagrin 
of defeat, and with little knowledge of how to live in winter quarters, 
the body and mind of many of the soldiers lost tone and in this debil- 
itated condition became easy victims of disease. 

"In winter quarters the log houses of the soldiers were built on 
company streets, at right angles with the road that ran along the regi- 
mental line. Some of the buildings had tent roofing and at the ends 
or sides of the buildings were chimneys, constructed of pieces of wood 
and plastered with Virginia mud. If the plaster did not stand the 
winter, it was replaced with new mortar. Northern contractors and 
builders have since taken up the fashion of outside chimneys. Bunks 
were built in various ways, some being made with poles and some with 
barrel staves resting upon side pieces, and these resting upon sticks 
driven into the ground. These simple cots answered for beds and 
seats, and on them many soldiers found hard rest, and suffered com- 
fort. Upon them, alas too many were mustered out of the warfare of 
life. The growing timber was used for company barracks, and at first 
rather lavishly used for fires in the open, and it may be easily imagined 
that with 100,000 soldiers within a radius of a few miles, within a short 
time, there would be nothing of trees but stumps, and the men must 
make chips of these stumps or carry wood long distances on their 
backs. Large details were made for picket and special duty, and com- 
pany and regimental drills were kept up when the weather per- 
mitted. Sickness made its encroachments, and the mettle of the 
men was severely tested. If not in cold and exposure, in other forms 
of trial our Falmouth camp was our Valley Forge of the civil war. 



BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG 3c 

Visiting the surgeon's quarters soon became a regular and somewhat 
prominent part of the day's duties. During the winter, the Regiment 
lost about one hundred men by sickness, and the burial of the com- 
rades was a pathetic sight. Some one from an adjacent regiment said 
that 'the Nineteenth Maine men are building a railroad to the grave- 
yard.' One by one, one by one, these men were borne along that track. 
The expiring comrade 'wrapt the drapery of his couch about him,' 
and that drapery was the army blanket. In this he was buried, and 
his only headstone was a piece of hard bread box. Later some boxes 
were provided in which the dead were buried. The signal of the burial 
was given by the muffled drum, the powerful pathos of which went 
through all the camp. Amid the sadness of a burial a peculiar incident 
occurred which may be remanded to the realm of the serio-comic. 
Several regiments used the same cemetery, and a detail from one regi- 
ment (and because of the high respect for the honor of our own, let it 
not be designated), was ordered to dig a grave. Arriving at the burial 
lot, they found a grave already dug for a departed comrade of another 
regiment. As this discovery relieved them from the necessity of dig- 
ging in hard pan, they appropriated the grave, and the best thing for 
the other regiment to do was to accept the situation and dig another 
grave, which they did with muttered curses. Two things with interro- 
gation points may be said in palliation of the ridiculous act of stealing 
a grave. One is that it is not uncommon for men among soldiers and 
soldiers to have an unwritten law that it is their privilege to appropri- 
ate anything not under guard. The other extenuation is the late claim 
of science that in embryo a person may be vaccinated with lazy bac- 
teria that convinces him that he should not work for anything that his 
ingenuity can extract from the other fellow. 

"In winter quarters at first one or more of the companies had 
company cooks, and from large kettles burnt rice and other unrecog- 
nized foods not tempting to epicures, were served. So the soldiers 
soon messed in groups and cooked their food according to their own 
skill and tastes, and found that more satisfactory. The commissary 
supplied a preparation called 'desiccated vegetables,' and as the name 
was unfamiliar, the men persisted in calling it 'desecrated' vegetables, 
and they seemed to have a prejudice against it. Doubtless this oddly 
flavored ration was healthful for those who would eat it. Boxes of 
articles for comfort and luxury were sent from friends at home, and as 
transportation was insufficient for extras in addition to the enormous 
freight, perishable articles were often delayed, with damage to the 
goods and disappointment to the soldiers. Not only were the choicest 
delicacies spoiled, but those cure-all, home-made wines and other 
restoratives and delicious drinks were sometimes missing from the 
cases. One explanation of this was that the boxes were inspected 
at Division headquarters, and that the officers, thinking the thirsty 
soldiers might inbibe too freely and suffer for it, and thinking it wrong 
to waste delicacies, devoted the libations in honor of Bacchus by the 
modem method of appropriating it to themselves. However this may 
be, the lasting gratitude of the veteran is due to the friends at home 
who spared no pains to relieve the want of soldiers and provide them 
supplies for emergencies in the form of lint, bandages and medicines 
The government tried hard to make connection between the Northern 
home and the Virginia camp. The hearts of the dear ones at home were 
with the absent ones, and oftimes in the thought and dreams of the 
soldier, the home and the camp were nearer together than were the 
comrades who touched elbows. 



36 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

"While in winter quarters the commissary somewhat enlarged 
the bill of fare and bighearted Uncle Sam tried to do his best for us. 
Sometimes rations were delayed, hard bread was piled up by the sta- 
tions and exposed to rain. Many of the men could testify to their 
sorrow that when the meals were served, uninvited guests would 
appear, and their presence had a peculiar effect. The more the guests 
the more dinner was left when the meal was ended, for they caine 'not 
to eat but to be eaten,' and they always failed to bring any appetizer 
with them. 

"Crawling worms were not the most humiliating visitors in an 
old camp. The great body of our men (for this was before we had the 
city bounty- jumpers) were inen from good families, who had been 
taught that cleanliness was next to godliness, and there may have been 
more who were making a brave fight to get next to their godliness than 
there were seeking the attainment itself. Alas, before the warm spring 
returned one of the plagues of Egypt appeared. In Egypt the dust 
was changed to living things, but whence these visitors came the soldier 
knew not and little cared if they could rid themselves of the hateful, 
abominable creatures. The veterans engaged in a war of extermina- 
tion and the only sure cure was the boiling of garments in camp kettles." 

Two abortive attempts to advance v^'ith the army were 
made by General Burnside after the battle of Fredericksburg 
and before he was removed. The first of these was made near 
the close of December, when Burnside planned to cross the 
Rappahannock some seven miles below Fredericksburg and 
attack the right flank of Lee's army and at the same time to send 
a cavalry expedition around the Confederate right flank and 
rear to cut the railroad communications of the enemy. The 
cavalry expedition had already started. President Lincoln 
telegraphed Burnside on December 30th not to undertake active 
operations without consulting him. This put an end to the 
movement, and Burnside, chagrined by the instructions of the 
President, went to Washington. Upon visiting the President, 
Burnside was informed that certain officers from the army had 
represented that owing to the feeling of distrust and general 
demoralization of the troops any advance of the army then 
would be unfortunate. Burnside returned to the army and re- 
sumed the humiliating position of commander without the con- 
fidence of his subordinate officers or the administration at 
Washington. He ought not to have been required to occupy 
this position, under the circumstances, for a single day. 

It appears that Generals John Newton and John Cochrane 
of the Sixth Army Corps, the latter part of December, 1862, 
went to Washington and represented to the President the con- 



BATTLE OF FREDERICKSBURG 



37 



dition of the army and its lack of confidence in Burnside. Gen- 
eral Burnside received some information from the President and 
afterwards learned fully of this clandestine visit of Newton and 
Cochrane, He then prepared what he called General Order No. 8, 
dismissing from service Generals Hooker, Brooks and Newton, 
and relieving from duty Generals Franklin, W. F. Smith, Sturgis, 
Ferrero, Cochrane and Lieutenant-Colonel J. H. Taylor. The 
President disapproved the order and directed Burnside not to 
advance with the army again without his consent. 

During the next month a half-hearted assent for another 
advance movement was obtained from General Halleck with 
the tacit approval of the President. This contemplated crossing 
thi army at Bank's Ford, some seven miles above Fredericks- 
burg. Feints of crossing were to be made at different points 
above and below the city in order to mask the real intent. This 
was the celebrated "mud march" of January 20-23, 1863. The 
Second Corps, being encamped in sight of the enemy, was to 
remain in camp until the other troops had effected a crossing of 
the river. On the 17th and i8th of January the weather 
turned cold and the ground froze hard. Unusual activity pre- 
vailed throughout the army. On account of the weather, the 
movement was postponed for twenty-four hours. Early on the 
morning of the 20th, the army, except Sumner's Grand Division, 
started out. It was a cloudy, threatening day. Infantry, bat- 
teries, artillery, ammunition wagons and pontoon boats mingled 
in some confusion, and staff officers hurrying forward and back, 
all pressed forward toward the place of crossing. Early in the 
evening a cold rain set in and. with heavy wind prevailing much 
of the time, it rained incessantly for thirty hours. It seemed as 
though the very bottom had dropped out of the earth. The 
soldiers sunk to their knees in mud, which resembled sticky 
paste. Cannon and wagons sank to the hubs of the wheels. Long 
ropes were obtained and hitched to carriages on which were the 
pontoons and men were detailed to pull them out of the mud. 
But it was mud everywhere and men were set at work building 
corduroy roads over which wagons and cannon might be drawn. 
The "Johnnies" goodnaturedly offered to come over the river 



38 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

and help us out of the mud. The movement was abandoned and 
the disgusted and bedraggled troops waded back to their camps. 
The Nineteenth Maine remained in their tents, discussing and 
commenting on the proper way to conduct the war. 

There was a review of the Second Corps by Generals Sumner 
and Burnsideon the 17th of January. It was a cold, perfunctory 
affair. General Huoker superseded General Burnside in com- 
mand of the Army of the Potomac late in January and 
General Sumner, the old commander of the Second Corps, 
retired from active service and went to his home in Syracuse, 
New York, where he died two months later. General Sumner 
was not a West Point officer. He had been in the military ser- 
vice continuously for upwards of forty years, having served in 
the Mexican War and in Kansas during its bloody history, 
where he- incurred the displeasure of Jeff Davis, the then Secre- 
tary of War. Before the commencement of the Civil War he 
was Colonel of the First United States Cavalry and among the 
subordinate officers of that regiment were Joseph E. Johnston, 
J. E. B. Stuart, John Sedgwick, Frank Wheaton and David 
S. Stanley. General Sumner accompanied President Lin- 
coln from Springfield, Illinois, to Washington, in February 1861. 
having been selected for that duty by General Scott. He was 
regarded as one of the ablest and most loyal officers in the 
Union Armv. 



THE CHANCELLORSVILLE CAMPAIGN 39 



CHAPTER IV. 
THE CHANCELLORSVILLE CAMPAIGN 

General Hooker was placed in command of the Army of the 
Potomac, succeeding General Burnside, on the 25th of January 
1863. The Grand Division organization introduced bv Burn- 
side was abandoned. General Franklin was relegated to the 
rear because of charges made againsthim byBurnsideof showinc. 
lack of energy on the 13th of December. General Hooker in- 
troduced "Corps badges," which became so convenient and 
popular and they continued to be used until the close of the war 
The device for the Second Corps badge was a trefoil or clover- 
leaf,— the First Division being red in color, the Second white 
and the Third blue. So the Nineteenth boys sewed upon their 
caps this badge, a clover-leaf shape made of white cloth. Some 
had silver badges, as they were more aristocratic in appearance. 
The army was reinforced by the Eleventh and Twelfth 
Corps, under Generals Howard and Slocum, from other depart- 
ments, to compensate for losses incurred in the battle of Fred- 
ericksburg. General Howard did not assume the command of the 
Eleventh Corps until some time in April, and he was succeeded 
in command of our Division by Brigadier-General John Gibbon, 
from the first corps. 

Whatever may have been Hooker's shortcomings, he was 
an excellent organizer. The men's rations were improved, 
new clothing was issued and regular battallion and brigade drills 
were instituted. New life was instilled into all departments of 
the army. The cavalry was for the first time brought forward 
and used as an important arm of the service, desertions practic- 
ally ceased and a new spirit was infused into the body of the sol- 
diery. Orders were given on January 30th from"' the head- 
quarters of the army that furloughs might be granted for fifteen 
days to one regimental and two line officers to each regiment 



40 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

and two enlisted men for every one hundred men present for 
duty. This gave each company a furlough for one enlisted 
man. 

Sergeant Samuel Smith, of Company F, gives his ex- 
perience in obtaining a furlough at this time. 

"About ten or twelve men in Company F put in an application 
for a furlough, and the Captain decided to determine who was entitl- 
ed thereto by drawing lots. One evening the applicants gathered 
about his tent and he put into a hat as many tickets as there were 
applicants for furloughs, all of the tickets being blanks but one, 
and that was marked 'furlough.' The men began to draw out 
blanks but when it came my turn, I put my hand into the hat and 
took out the 'furlough.' Well, this was a new sensation, as I had 
never thought of going home until the expiration of my term of ser- 
vice. The "names of the applicants were sent to headquarters and in 
due time the papers came around, with all necessary red tape attached . 
On my furlough appeared the following signatures with their approval : 
Capta'in I. W. Starbird, commanding Company; Major H. W. Cun- 
ningham, commanding Regiment; Colonel F. D. Sewell, commanding 
Brigade ; Brigadier-General Joshua T. 0-w.en, commanding Second 
Division; Major-General O. O. Howard, commanding Second Corps; 
Major-General D. N. Couch, commanding Right Grand Division. I 
have the furlough yet and in good state of preservation. It is dated 
near Falmouth, 'Virginia, February 4th, '63, and in it I was directed to 
report back to my Company at the expiration of fifteen days or be con- 
sidered a deserter. The next morning a large company of us started 
for Belle Plain Landing, where, we were told, a steamer would be in 
waiting to take us to Washington. There was a small steamer waiting 
for us, but it did not take a very keen observer to see that when the 
steamer was loaded to the gunwales there would still be a big crowd 
on the shore. Every man must go to a little office window, present his 
furlough and have it leisurely looked over by the one clerk, before he 
could get his ticket for the boat. I decided that if I was left it would 
not be my fault. So when the steamer had taken about the last man 
she could' carry, I was^on board and we started north, leaving many 
disappointed men on the wharf." 

Before the battle of Chancellorsville there had been several 
changes among the commissioned officers of the Regiment. 
Colonel Sewell resigned February 19th, and Lieutenant-Colonel 
Heath was promoted to be Colonel, March 2nd, 1863. Chap- 
lains Whittlesey and Palmer had both resigned and left the 
Regiment, the former in September, 1862, and the latter in 
February, 1863, and Rev. George W. Hathaway, a Congrega- 
tional minister from Skowhegan,was commissionedChaplain and 
remained with the Regiment until the close of the war. James 
M. Hathaway, Captain of Company A, resigned Nov. 5, '62, 
and Lieutenant Spaulding was promoted to fill the vacancy. 



THE CHANCELLORSVILLE CAMPAIGN 



41 



Captain Horace C. Noyes, of Company B, resigned February 20, 
'63, and Lieutenant Parsons was promoted to fill the vacancy 
some months later. Charles H. Rowell, Captain of Company C, 
had resigned October 12, '62, and Lieutenant Whitmore, of 
Company F, was promoted to the vacancy. Daniel L. Dickey, 
Captain of Company E, resigned January 1, '63, and Lieutenant 
Richards of the same Company was promoted to the vacant 
Captaincy. Joseph Eaton, Jr., Captain of Company H, re- 
signed October 3 1, '62, and Lieutenant Lincoln of the same Com- 
pany was promoted to be Captain. Captain Edwin A. Snow, 
Company I, resigned February 23, '63, and First Lieutenant 
George D. Smith became Captain of the Company. Charles L. 
Larrabee, Captain of Company K, resigned March 3/63, and 
Lieutenant Bunker became the Captain of the Company the 
same month. William Clements and Jasper Gordon, Lieuten- 
ants of Company B, resigned, the former, October 17, '62, and 
the latter February 17, '63. Lieutenants Joseph H. Hunt and 
Francis M. Ames, of Company C, resigned October 21 and No- 
vember 18, respectively. Lieutenant James Johnson, of Com- 
pany E, resigned October 2, '62. Lieutenant Gershom F. Bur- 
gess, of Company I, resigned February 10, '63. Lieutenant 
Almon Goodwin, Second Lieutenant of Company C, resigned, 
by reason of ill health, December 17, '62. He was a graduate of 
Bowdoin College and very highly respected. Second Lieuten- 
ant B. B. Hansen, of Company K, resigned January 23, '63. 
Many of these resignations of Lieutenants were filled by pro- 
motion from the ranks. The efficiency of the Regiment was in 
no way diminished by these changes. 

First Lieutenant Joseph Nichols, of Company C, was tried 
by courtmartial and cashiered February 16, '63. He had re- 
signed, urging as a reason that he did not approve of President 
Lincoln's proclamation of emancipation. The resignation was 
disapproved and forwarded to Brigade and Division headquar- 
ters. Either at Division or Corps headquarters the resignation 
was returned with orders to place Lieutenant Nichols under 
arrest, confine him in the guard house and immediately prefer 
charges against him. Lieutenant Nichols was from Phippsburg, 



42 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

a democrat in politics and when he entered the service his demo- 
cratic friends laughed at him for going into the army to "fight 

for the d d niggers." Nichols did not expect his resignation 

to be accepted. He expected a reprimand and then having 
placed himself right with his democratic associates at home, he 
would gladly and loyally serve his country in the field. He was 
a pleasant and lovable man and the officers and a great many of 
the men were very fond of him. Captain Fogler defended him 
before the court martial. He left the Regiment regretted by all 
who knew him. 

From the time of our arrival at Falmouth, much sickness 
prevailed and the losses in the Regiment by death was some- 
thing fearful. Many were discharged from the service that 
first winter by reason of disease. Within two months from the 
battle of Fredericksburg, ten boys sickened and died in Com- 
pany A, and nine in Company I. The death rate was nearly 
as large in some of the other companies. Many of these 
lives might have been saved could they have had proper medi- 
cal advice and nourishing food in the early stages of their 
illness. 

When the men of the Regiment awoke on the morning of 
February 22nd, they were surprised to find a foot of snow on 
the ground. It snowed nearly all day and the weather became 
very cold. On the 31st of March another cold snowstorm 
occurred. 

The records of the Regiment disclose that Captain Lincoln 
of Company H , overstayed his leave of absence in February, '63, 
was tried and acquitted by a military court. The same kind 
of treatment was accorded Lieutenant Hunter the same mionth. 
In early April, '63, Major Welch overstayed his fifteen days' 
leave of absence by one day and after a laborious session of the 
court-martial, he was acquitted. Enlisted men pnid the penalty 
for like oft'ense by a sojourn in the guard house. Adjutant 
Haskell overstayed his leave of absence from March 17th, to 
2ist, '63, and a court-martial in his case resulted in a forfeiture 
of four days' pay. The records disclose that Adjutant Haskell 
was frequently under arrest and always by order of Lieutenant 



THE CHANCELLLORSVILLE CAMPAIGN 43 

Colonel Cunningham. He would generally be released from 
arrest upon the return of Colonel Heath. In fact, the relation- 
ship between Cunningham and Haskell was not of the David 
and Jonathan type. 

The letter of Captain Nash dated February 15th, 1863, con- 
tains the following: 

"The Xineteenth has very comfortable winter quarters, and 
affairs move along pleasantly. A recent inpection of the Regiments, 
in accordance with orders from General Hooker, gives us the following 
report : 

'There is no better Regiment of its age in the service. Well 
drilled, well disciplined, in excellent condition, and well cared for. 

George W. Macy, Inspector First Brigade, Second 
Division, Second Corps, 
Major, Twentieth Massachusetts Vols., 
A fine regiment. 

A. F. Devereux, Division Inspecting Officer, 
Lieutenant-Colonel Xineteenth Massachusetts Vols. 
"The Regiment has earned its enviable reputation and will main- 
tain it untarnished. Its rolls show a larger number of men for duty 
than any other Maine Regiment now in the field, whose term of sen."ice 
is three years. It is considered by the bo^'^s a thing of considerable 
bigness to have their Regiment stand the highest among the thirteen 
regiments composing the Second Division." 

In accordance with the provisions of General Order No. 18 
from the headquarters of the Army of the Potomac, dated 
March 3rd. "63, the Regiment was granted one-third more fur- 
loughs by reason of the high commendation of inspection 
officers. This distinction was given to the Nineteenth as one out 
of twelve regiments in the army thus honored. The First Min- 
nesota, of our Brigade, was one of the twelve regiments. The 
Tenth Maine was also in this list. 

Late in March, Governor Andrew G. Curtin came to the 
army and the Pennsylvania troops in our Division were drawn 
up in a hollow square to receive him. Governor Curtin deliver- 
ed to them a patriotic address. He was a fine looking man 
and an excellent speaker. Many of the men from our Regi- 
ment went over to listen to his speech and joined in cheering at 
its close. 

Senator Henry Wilson of Massachusetts attended the dress 
parade of the Fifteenth Massachusetts on April i6th, and some 
of our boys had an opportunity to hear him speak. He was a 



44 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

swarthy man, with a clean-shaven face, and was an attractive 
speaker. 

The use of balloons was first employed, in a practical way, 
by the Union Army on the Peninsula in April, 1862. The usual 
height of observation was some less than a thousand feet. The 
enemy sometimes used a Whitworth gun on the balloon when 
poised in the air about three hundred feet high. The men of 
the Nineteenth will remember how rapidly the observation 
balloon descended several times in the vicinity of Falmouth 
when fired at in the spring of 1863. About this time their use 
was abandoned. The writer could never understand why the 
employment of these military balloons was given up. 1 heir 
use made it possible to observe the position and movements of 
the enemy when atmospheric conditions were favorable. Even 
if the observers never saw very much, they were worth all they 
cost by the annoyance and delays they caused the enemy in 
trying to keep their movements concealed. 

Early in April, President Lincoln, his wife and son Thomas 
("Tad"), came down to visit the Army. On the 6th of April 
the President reviewed the Second Corps and some other troops. 
Mr. Lincoln, his son. General Hooker, Couch and many other 
officers rode along our lines and then we marched in review 
before them. The President, instead of hav'ng a very large 
horse to ride, corresponding in som.e degree with his own great 
height, had a horse rather below the average size, thus compell- 
ing the President to ride in an awkward position. He wore 
a high silk hat. Little Tad, now ten or eleven years of age, who 
had become the President's almost constant companion, was 
mounted upon a small sized horse and rode like a veteran. 
President Lincoln seemed intent upon looking into the faces of 
his soldiers. The writer will never forget the President's anx- 
ious expression, the deep lines of care and suffering upon his 
face, the great furrows marked upon his patient features by long 
months of suffering and disappointment. He looked, indeed, 
as though he was carrying a great burden. 

General Hooker gave the Presidential party a great dinner, 
at which all the Corps commanders were present. Before 



THE CHANCELLORSVILLE CAMPAIGN 45 

leaving for Washington, President Lincoln called General 
Hooker and General Couch, his senior Corps commander, aside, 
and while endeavoring to impress upon them certain things, 
vv'hich he desired, these were almost his last words: "In your 
next battle, put in all your men." If this injunction had been 
obeyed, the humiliating history of ChancellorsviUe need never 
have been written. 

The Secon 1 Corps had been called upon to perform no duty 
outside of picketing and camp guard since the middle of Decem- 
ber, except that our Division had gone out on the Hartwood 
Church road as far as Berea Church, some ten or twelve miles, 
on the 25th of February. This movement was for the purpose 
of intercepting a body of Confederate cavalry, raiding on the 
right flank of our army. The Regiment left camp about nine 
o'clock at night and a little after midnight it began to rain. A 
short time previous to this there had been a fall of snow to the 
depth of six or seven inches, which had turned to slush and 
water. The boys just waded in slush and by daylight the next 
morning the rain was coming down in torrents. We simply 
marched out and then marched back through this pelting storm. 
The enemy was not disposed to v/ait for us, so we did not meet 
him. We got back from this disagreeable expedition about 
noon the next day. 

The movement of the troops under General Hooker prepar- 
atory to the battle of ChancellorsviUe began as early as April 
2 1 St. The real movements, however, began on the 27th of 
April. General Hooker's army at this time comprised seven 
Corps of three Divisions each and numbered about 1 18,000 men. 
The number of the Corps and their commanders were as follows: 
— First Corps, General Reynolds ; Second, Couch ; Third, Sickles ; 
Fifth, Meade; Sixth, Sedgwick; Eleventh, Howard; Twelfth, 
Slocum. For the first time the cavalry was organized into 
a separate Corps and numbered about 12,000 men, 
under command of General Stoneman. The batteries, compris- 
ing some four hundred guns, were distributed among the infantry 
divisions, excepting some ten or fifteen batteries held in reserve 
for emergencies. The Confederate army at this time was 



46 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

divided into two corps, one commanded by Jackson and the 
other bv Longstreet. These corps had four divisions each. 
General Longstreet himself with two divisions of his Corps was 
not present at the battle but was operating in the region about 
Suffolk. It is pretty difficult to state accurately the strength 
of the Confederate forces at Chancellorsville. They claim that 
they did not have to exceed 60,000 men of all arms. General 
Stuart commanded their cavalry, numbering between 3,000 and 
4,000 men. The field batteries of the Confederates comprised 
about 175 guns. 

Our task is to tell what Hooker did, and not what he 
might have done. It is not within the proper scope of this 
history to trace and analyze all the marvelous blunders which 
turned the battle of Chancellorsville into a disgraceful defeat. 
Some outline of the battle, however, must be given in order 
that the reader may the better understand the movements of 
the troops in our own Brigade, 

It is generally conceded that the plan of the battle origi- 
nally was excellent and everything moved as designed until 
the troops were all in their appointed places on the afternoon 
of Thursday, the 30th of April. Then and during the next 
few days there were manifested a series of blunders, a working 
at cross-purposes, vascillation and incompetency, hardly par- 
alleled during the war. The Corps commanders were all loyal 
to Hooker and endeavored to carry out his vascillating in- 
structions. Outside of the shameful rout of the Eleventh 
Corps on the 3rd of May, the men stood bravely by their guns 
and fought well. For the surprise' and rout of the 
Eleventh Corps the men in the ranks were in no wise responsible. 

The cavalry, except one Brigade, was all sent off" under 
General Stoneman, some days before the battle of Chancellors- 
ville, to cut the railroad communications of the enemy. Gen- 
eral Hooker was thus deprived of an important branch of his 
army when he most needed it. As the cavalry under Stone- 
man had no more influence on the results of the battle than as 
though they had been in camp on the north side of the Rappa- 
hannock, it will not be necessary to mention this arm of the ser- 



THE CKANCELLORSVILLE CAMPAIGN 47 

vice while discussing Chancellorsville. Before two o'clock p. m., 
Thursday, April 30th, the Fifth, Eleventh and Twelfth Corps, 
having crossed the river some distance to the northwest, ar- 
rived at Chancellorsville. The troops were in fine condition, 
greatly elated over the fact, that without fighting, they were 
upon the flank of the enemy, taking in reverse his entire system 
of river defenses. Chancellorsville is on the eastern border of 
that "wilderness" in which the Army of the Potomac was caught 
a year later — a region of tangled thickets, of stunted pine, 
scrub oak, blind paths, ravines and swamps. No enemy of 
any account was in front of the troops. Less than two miles 
to the east, the country was open and the ground high, affording 
an opportunity for the use of artillery. The troops around 
Chancellorsville on this afternoon (some 40,000 in number) 
were under command of General Slocum, the senior officer 
present, who had been ordered by General Hooker to advance 
far enough to uncover Banks' Ford, if the enemy was not in 
any "considerable force" in his front. Why was this not done.? 
Because General Hooker himself, at 2:15 p. m., issued another 
order reading, "No advance beyond Chancellorsville until col- 
umns are concentrated." It does not appear why this order 
modifying the former instructions was issued. General Hooker 
arrived upon the field late in the afternoon, and issued his 
bombastic order reciting that "our enemy must either inglo- 
riously fly or come out from behind his defenses and give us bat- 
tle on our own ground, where certain destruction awaits him." 
This was a statement not warranted by the facts and a predic- 
tion, unfortunately, that was not fulfilled. 

On Friday, May ist, late in the morning, the Union forces 
at Chancellorsville, under orders from Hooker, pushed out to- 
ward Fredericksburg. On the day before our troops might 
have advanced beyond the confines of the wilderness without 
any serious fighting. An hour or so was now consumed in 
reconnoitering the ground to the front. Two divisions of the 
Second Corps were present. The Union forces moved out in 
three columns and gained the high ground beyond the limits of 
the wilderness where the country was open and artillery could 



48 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

be used. This advanced position was obtained after some spir- 
ited fighting on the turnpike. Everything seemed to be moving 
to the advantage of the Union forces. A Httle after noon, and 
after one hour's time consumed in the advance movement, an 
order came from General Hooker to withdraw the Hnes to 
Chancellorsville! Couch, Hancock, Sykes, Warren and other 
officers sent a staff officer to represent to General Hooker the 
favorable position and condition of our troops and begged that 
he would reconsider the order to fall back. General Meade, 
some of whose troops were in sight of Banks' Ford, but who 
himself was with Couch, Hancock, Sykes and other officers 
where the fi2;hting was, exclaimed, when Hooker's orders for 
retreat came: "My God! if we can't hold the top of the hill, 
we certainly can't hold the bottom of it." Hooker, now seized 
with hesitation and doubts, the forerunner of disaster, returned 
positive orders to fall back. From that moment, the Army of 
the Potomac was defeated. 1 he position abandoned was ex- 
cellent; the ground to which our troops retreated was untenable. 
The Confederates, with wild cheers, followed some portion of 
our forces. They did not have enough men to extend along 
our whole front and for some of the distance had only a skirmish 
line. There were present under General Hooker on May ist, 
when this retrograde movement was ordered, more than twice 
as many men as in the Confederate army confronting him. It 
would have been a good thing for the Union cause if Hooker 
could have been "stunned" before twelve o'clock May ist, 
rather than later in the battle. From the time that Hooker 
ordered the troops to retreat from the open country between 
Chancellorsville and Fredericksburg, on May ist, into the 
tangled underbrush of the wilderness, our forces were on the 
defensive. 

On the night of May ist, General Jackson, in company with 
General Lee, planned a flank attack upon the Union forces 
around Chancellorsville. Early on the morning of May 2nd, he 
started with his Corps toward our extreme right flank, held by 
General Howard. Jackson took his troops around consider- 
able distance in the direction of Todd's Tavern, then swung 



THE CHANCELLORSVILLE CAMPAIGN 



49 



around on the Brock road, following it up to the Wilderness 
Tavern. From the Wilderness Tavern his forces, keeping out 
of sight as much as possible, turned eastward and followed the 
general direction of the Orange turnpike, feeling their way cau- 
tiously toward Howard's lines. In order to deceive General 
Hooker and occupy his attention, the Confederate skirmishers 
upon our left were pushed forward against our intrenchments. 
General Hooker seemed to be possessed by the idea that the 
Confederates were going to run away. There had not thus far 
appeared any special reason why General Lee should run away. 
He had not been harmed except when he attacked the fortified 
position of General Hooker. The illusions to which Hooker was 
subject were rashly dispelled before the sun went down that 
day. When the Eleventh Corps, the smallest in the army, 
under Howard, was crushed, and when down the road from 
Dowdall's Tavern came the wreck of the Corps, rushing pell- 
mell to get away from Jackson's men. General Hooker must 
have thought that possibly he was deluded in his view of the 
situation. Our Regiment was not there, and it is not the histor- 
ian's purpose to describe this attack of Jackson and after his 
wounding, the fight of Jeb. Stuart, who succeeded in command. 
It is probable that no body of troops, in such a position, could 
have withstood the attack led by Stonewall Jackson. 

Let us see what General Sedgv^ick was doing in the mean- 
time. Partisans of General Hooker seek to lay the blame of the 
disaster at Chancellorsville, first, on the stampede of Howard's 
Eleventh Corps and, second, on the lack of co-operation on 
the part of Sedgwick. On the 28th of April, Sedgwick, with the 
Sixth Corps moved down the Rappahannock to Franklin's old 
crossing. The First Corps, under Reynolds, took position about 
one mile farther down the river and the Third Corps, under 
Sickles, was placed in the rear and between the other two corps. 
During the night, a part of the Sixth Corps crossed in boats and 
laid a pontoon bridge. On the 30th of April, (the day the 
Third, Eleventh and Twelfth Corps reached Chancellorsville,) 
Sickles' Third Corps was hastily detached from Sedgwick's 
force and hurried to the United States Ford to join Hooker. On 



^O THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Friday, May ist, at five p. m., an order was received by Sedg- 
wick from Hooker, instructing the former officer to make a 
strong demonstration against the enemy and when just begin- 
ning the advance the order was countermanded, Reynold's 
First Corps was detached and sent to Hooker on Saturday, the 
2nd of May. At 5:25 in the morning of the same day, Sedg- 
wick was ordered to take up all the bridges at Franklin's crossing 
and below before daylight. Had this order been obeyed, 
Sedgwick would have retreated back across the river, taken up 
the bridges in plain sight of the enemy and released the troops 
in and about Fredericksburg so that they might hasten north 
and join the bulk of Lee's army. At half past six in the after- 
noon of May 2nd, Sedgwick was ordered to pursue the enemy 
by the Bowling Green road, which order was obeyed. At 
eleven o'clock p. m., he received another order, written fifty 
minutes earlier than its receipt, directing him to cross the 
Rappahannock at Fredericksburg upon receipt of the order, 
move in the direction of Chancellorsville until connection was 
made with Hooker, to destroy any forces on the road and to be 
in the vicinity of Hooker by daylight. This was indeed a most 
remarkable order and impossible of execution. Sedgwick at 
this time was out on the Bowling Green road, forcing back the 
Confederates, as ordered by the commander of the army. Gen- 
eral Hooker had represented to Sedgwick during the two pre- 
ceding days that the force of the enemy in his front was insignifi- 
cant. General Sedgwick believed he could obey the spirit of 
Hooker's order best b}- marching up to Fredericksburg without 
recrossing the river, capture the enemy's works there and hurry 
on to join Hooker. In endeavoring to carry out this purpose, he 
was compelled to assault and carry the works in front of Marye's 
Heights. These were the same fortifications that Sumner's 
Grand Division had unsuccessfully assaulted so many times the 
13th of the preceding December. He would have been obliged 
to carry these same works had he crossed the river twice and 
attempted to literally carry out Hooker's order. The trouble 
was, Hooker underestimated the force opposed to Sedgwick. 
General Lee in his official report of the battle states that " Early's 



THE CHANCELLORSVILLE CAMPAIGN 5I 

Division of Jackson's Corps and Barksdale's Brigade of Mc- 
Law's Division, with a part of the Reserve artillery under Gen- 
eral Pendleton, were entrusted with the defense" of the Con- 
federate position at Fredericksburg. This force, exclusive of 
the artillery, included twenty-five regiments. On the night of 
May I St, General Lee stated that Wilcox's Brigade, consisting 
of five regiments, was sent to Banks' Ford. General Wilcox in 
his report says that on May 3rd, when near Salem Church 
opposing the advance of Sedgwick, he was reinforced by three 
Brigades of McLaw's Division. General Lee further repre- 
sented that he sent one of Anderson's Brigades also to reinforce 
Wilcox, and General Lee himself superintended this movement. 
It is impossible to state with any degree of accuracy as to the 
number of men opposed to Sedgwick's advance at any particu- 
lar time. We know this : that the losses in the Sixth Corps dur- 
ing this engagement were nearly five thousand men, of whom 
five hundred were killed outright. The capture of the works at 
Marye's Heights was accomplished by Sedgwick in a sharp en- 
gagement, in which the Sixth Maine under Colonel Burnham 
bore a conspicuous part. Gibbon's Division, except Owen's 
Brigade which was at Banks' Ford and the Nineteenth Maine, 
crossed the river at Falmouth and occupied Fredericksburg. 
Gibbon's men were not in position to render any substantial aid 
to Sedgwick. While the greater portion of the Confederate 
army, under General Lee, was fighting Sedgwick at Salem 
Church, and pounding the life out of his Corps, nothing but a 
skirmish line confronted the left of Hooker's line at Chancellors- 
ville, but Hooker never found it out. He had decided upon a 
defensive campaign for his own troops and a vigorous offensive 
campaign for Sedgwick's lone Army Crops, fighting its way 
from Fredericksburg to Chancellorsville. It may be that Gen- 
eral Sedgwick ought to have been more expeditious in his move- 
ments on the morning of May 3rd. Whatever may be said as 
to that, it may be safely asserted that Hooker was defeated 
before Jackson annihilated the right detached wing of his army 
at Chancellorsville. 

The unfortunate flanking and defeat of the Eleventh Corps 
was a disaster which ought to have been prevented. The evi- 



52 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

dence appears to be almost conclusive that General Howard, 
commanding that Corps, was warned by General Hooker of the 
impending danger and urged to examine the ground and 
strengthen his position. This was communicated to Howard 
in a letter, dated May 2nd at nine-thirty in the morning. Im- 
mediately after the battle, the cry was raised that the "Dutch- 
men" of the Eleventh Corps had caused our defeat. There 
must be a scapegoat, and the shameful shortcomings of the 
officers in command were piled upon that unfortunate Corps. 
The fact is, only about one-third of the Corps were Germans. It 
it doubtful, if any corps in the army would have done any better 
under such trying circumstances. The men had no show. 
They had their choice between being run over and captured and 
running to the rear, with some chance of escape. 

General Hooker's friends have attempted also to unload 
some of the responsibility for the disaster at Chancellorsville 
upon General Couch, the senior Corps commander, who was 
then at the head of the Second Corps. It appears that Hooker 
was injured about half past nine o'clock in the morning of May 
3rd. After a recovery from his brief stupor he sent for Couch 
and gave him explicit instruction to withdraw the troops to the 
new and contracted line, and then Hooker rode to the rear. 
Couch was ordered by Hooker to do a specific thing, with spe- 
cific troops, but he had no authority over Meade or Howard or 
Reynolds. It was too late then to accomplish anything. 
There were more than 30,000 soldiers lying on their arms in the 
rear of the battlefield who had not fired a shot. Hooker was 
urged to resume the offensive on May 4th with these new troops, 
but he refused to fight. 

The Regiment left its camp on the night of May ist and 
was strung along between Falmouth and Banks' and United 
States Fords, guarding the telegraph line. The Regiment was 
relieved and assembled near the Lacy House on May 3rd. The 
other regiments of the Brigade crossed the river, entered Fred- 
ericksburg and supported the Sixth Corps. Not a man in the 
Brigade was killed. From the heights above the Lacy House 
much of Sedgwick's battle at Salem Church could be plainly 



THE CHANCELLORSVILLE CAMPAIGN 53 

seen. The Sixth Corps was slowly forced back during the after- 
noon of May 3rd toward Banks' Ford. It was pitiful to see the 
greater part of the Confederate army concentrated to crush that 
Corps and we helpless to aid and Hooker on the defensive at 
Chancellorsville with three-fourths of the Army of the Potomac. 

The battle af Chancellorsville was not a single engagement 
but was fought on four different fields — at Fredericksburg, at 
Salem Curch, on the east of Chancellorsville and Jackson's flank 
movement to the west of Chancellorsville. The engagement on 
the lines east of Chancellorsville was fought early on the ist 
of May, Jackson's fight to the west of Chancellorsville took 
place in the early evening of May 2nd and was continued by 
General Stuart the next morning. The intrenchments at Fred- 
ericksburg were captured by Sedgwick May 3rd, and the battle 
at Salem Church was fought on the afternoon of May 3rd and 
on the 4th day of May. Sedgwick recrossed the river at Bank's 
Ford on the night of May 4th and Hooker with his bafRed troops 
recrossed the next night. 

The writer takes great atisf action in quoting the following 
from Swinton's excellent History." Amid much that is dastardly 
at Chancellorsville, the conduct of Colonel Nelson A Miles, the 
young but gallant and skillful officer, shines forth with a brilliant 
luster." General Hancock was so elated at seeing the splendid 
behavior of Miles' skirmish line when repulsing the enemy that 
he said to one of his staff officers: " Ride down and tell Colonel 
Miles he is worth his weight in gold." General Couch, com- 
manding the Second Corps, said to General Hancock and 
French, his two Division commanders: "I tell you v^'hat it is, 
gentlemen, I sha ! not be surprised to find myself some day serv- 
ing under that young man." This same Miles rose from the 
rank of First Lieutenant to Lieutenant-General commanding 
the army. His body scarred with wounds received in his 
country's service, but crowned with honor and the love of his 
countrym.en whom he had served, he was permitted to retire by 
operation of law, August 8th, 1903, without the usual words of 
commendation from the then President of the United States, 
who was a boy in short dresses living in a fashionable section 



54 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

of New York City, when Miles entered the service of his 
country. 

Major-General Hiram G. Berry, commander of the Secord 
Division, Third Corps, was killed in the battle of Chancellorsville. 
He entered the service from Rockland, as Colonel of the 
Fourth Maine Regiment. General Berry was an exceptionally 
fine officer and his native state may well take pride in his 
record. 

On the 4th day of May, Governor Coburn of Maine and one 
of our Congressmen, John H. Rice of Foxcroft, came to visit 
the Regiment. They were introduced to many of the officers 
and men. Governor Coburn was visiting the different Maine 
regiments and so far as possible looking after their welfare. 
He witnessed the repulse of the Sixth Corps at Salem Church 
from the grounds about the Lacy House. Governor Coburn 
was not a Chesterfield in manners or speech, nor a Webster in 
knowledge of constitutional law; but he was a hard-headed, 
sensible business man, blunt in speech, knowing what he 
wanted and usually getting it. He made a good Governor of 
Maine. 

One of the results of the battle of Chancellorsville was the 
irreparable loss to the Confederacy of Stonewall Jackson. Gen- 
eral Jackson was wounded on the night of May 2nd and died in 
the afternoon of May loth. After Jackson's death and perhifps 
on theday of the funeral, the bells in the Fredericksburg churches 
were tolled and the sad funeral dirge played by the bands in 
the various Confederate camps, all of which were plainly heard 
on our side of the river. History will accord General Jackson 
a position among the Confederate officers second to none ex- 
cept General Lee. At the time of his death he was the leader 
most trusted by the Confederates and most feared by us. After 
Jackson's death, John W. Forney, editor of one of the Washing- 
ton papers, wrote an editorial eulogizing Jackson's ability and 
commending some traits of his Christian character. President 
Lincoln wrote Mr. Forney a letter thanking him for the fairness 
of his editorial comments. 



THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN ^^ 



CHAPTER V. 



THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN 

On the 29th day of May the Regiment was paid two 
months' pay. It is wonderful how having money in the pocket 
improves the appearance of a soldier. He stands straighter, 
walks prouder, looks happier, acts more independent and enjoys 
better health. 

Early in June General William Harrow was assigned to the 
command of our Brigade. Harrow had been formerly Colonel 
of the Fourteenth Indiana. He remained as commander of the 
Brigade until the following September, when he resigned his 
commission. He was subsequently appointed Brigadier-General 
by the President, and we fmd him in command of the Fourth 
Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, in the Atlanta campaign. 
General Harrow was regarded as an excellent army officer, but 
he had acquired the unfortunate habit of resigning. He had re- 
signed as Colonel of the Fourteenth Indiana and afterwards he 
was reappointed to the same position. 

Major-General W. S. Hancock was assigned to the command 
of the Second Corps on the loth of June, 1863, succeeding Gen- 
eral Couch, who had been assigned to the comm.and of the 
Department of the Susquehanna. Surely the Second Corps 
was fortunate in its comm.anders. Sumner, Couch, Hancock, 
Warren and Humphreys — these were no ordinary officers. 

We broke camp on Sunday evening, June 14th, and 
marched out about two miles and then marched back to camp 
again. We left the old camp for good at three o'clock Monday 
morning, June 15th, and started out on our long tramp to- 
ward Gettysburg. The first day or tw^o we were in Stafford 
County. This county appeared to be poverty stricken. Poor 
soil and shiftless human nature had obstructed all enterprises. 
The country was destitute of public improvements. Dense 



^6 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

woods and thickets of jack pine and scrub oak with occasional 
clearings, poor roads and old tumble down houses, describe the 
country of our first day's march. We crossed Acquia creek at a 
little hamlet called Acquia, marched through Stafford Court 
House which was a smoking ruin, going into camp about half a 
dozen miles north of that point. The day's march was about 
twenty miles, but owing to the intense heat and clouds of dust 
and heavy marching order of the soldiers, it was one of the most 
trying days in the whole summer's campaign. It is pretty hard 
for a soldier to throw away a new overcoat, a nice woolen blanket 
or a change of underclothing, especially when nobody knows 
how far he is going or how soon he may need these articles. 
When human endurance is exhausted, the highly prized mer- 
chandise is reluctantly dropped by the roadside. The next 
day's march was upwards of twenty miles and carried us across 
Quantico creek, near Purcell's mill, through Dumfries and 
thence north by the Telegraph road, crossing Neabasco creek 
and going into camp near Occoquan, on the Occoquan river. 
Here we found the first good water since leaving the Rappa- 
hannock. The next day, the 17th, we had a short, comfortable 
march of some ten miles to Fairfax Station, on the Orange and 
Alexandria Railroad. We were now some four miles south of 
Fairfax Court House and about five m.iles from Bull Run. The 
Regiment rested here one full day and on the 19th proceeded 
about ten miles to Centerville. 

While the Regiment stopped at Centerville, the boys had 
a good time in joining in a raid on a sutler belonging to one of 
the Massachusetts batteries. General Wilham Hayes ordered 
two guns and a small force of infantry into position to disperse 
the mob. Before they got ready to act, however, not only the 
"mob" but the contents of the sutler's tent had been "dis- 
persed." It was noticed in the Regiment that the boys' supply 
of tobacco had been increased during our stop at Centerville. 

We started for Thoroughfare Gap at noon, June 20th, and 
arrived at our destination a little after midnight. The march 
took us across the old Bull Run battlefield, where many evi- 
dences of the battles of former years were visible. Parts of 
human skeletons were seen protruding from the ground and 



THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN 57 

splintered trees were upon every side. The last part of the 
march was very trying and in the darkness the boys of the 
Regiment stumbled over stones and into ditches. They knew 
from talk in the Regiment that we were bound for Thoroughfare 
Gap, but no one seemed to know how far away that place was. 
While the Regiment was plodding along, slowly picking its 
way in the dark, one of the boys fell into a deep ditch and when 
inquired of as to what he was doing down there he answered 
back, "Boys, here's the gap. I've stopped it up!" The next 
day we could hear the guns through the gap from the cavalry 
fight at Upperville. 

General Hooker, like all his predecessors, in the race north 
after General Lee, was required to keep his army between the 
enemy and the city of Washington. Sometimes writers have 
attempted to ridicule the anxiety of President Lincoln and Sec- 
retary Stanton for the safety of the Capital. It was felt by the 
administration that the city of Washington must be protected 
at all hazards. The capture of the Capital, in the then condi- 
tion of foreign affairs, might have proved fatal to the Union 
cause. The fear of foreign intervention, which purposely was 
not much talked about, hung on the horizon like a dark, threat- 
ening cloud. Had Washington been captured by the Confeder- 
ates, that fact would very likely have furnished the excuse for 
foreign intervention. It is doubtful if the National Govern- 
ment could have recovered from the loss of Washington; hence 
the great and justifiable anxiety of the administration for its 
security and protection. 

The Regiment had four days of rest while in the vicinity 
of Thoroughfare. During this time the boys of the Regiment 
gathered and cooked green apples which afforded a change in 
the monotony of their diet. The apples of course were very 
small, but when cooked, they were very palatable. Other 
changes in diet also were noticeable, to which changes the 
farmers in that locality unwillingly contributed. 

General Alexander S. Webb was assigned to the command 
of the Philadelphia Brigade of our Division at Thoroughfare 
Gap. He had been an officer of ability in the regular service, 
and his force of character and personal gallantry at Gettysburg, 



58 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Bristoe Station, Wilderness and Spottsylvania contributed in no 
small measure to the renown of the Second Corps. 

The Corps left Thoroughfare Gap on the 25th, our Division 
taking the rear in the line of march. The Regiment proceeded 
as far as Haymarket, an insignificant hamlet where the road 
turned north in the direction of Gum Springs. As the Regiment 
was proceeding quietly on its way, and when at Haymarket, 
from a lofty eminence to the right and rear came bursting 
shells into the midst of our Brigade and we lost one man in our 
Regiment, Israel D. Jones, of Company G, the first soldier in the 
Regiment killed by the enemy. In less than ten minutes from 
the time that Mr. Jones was chatting cheerfully with the man 
marching at his side, he was buried by the roadside and left 
to sleep his last sleep. A private soldier in the Fifteenth Massa- 
chusetts and several others in the Division were wounded. The 
attack was so unexpected that it created some confusion in our 
Division. Let the Confederate General Stuart give his account 
of this affair. 

" Moving to the right with my brigades, we passed through 
Glasscock's Gap without serious difficulty and marched to Haymarket. 
I had previously sent Major Mosby with some picked men to gain the 
vicinity of Dranesville, find where a crossing was practicable and bring 
intelligence to me near Gum Springs on June 25th. As we neared 
Haymarket we found that Hancock's Corps was enroute through 
Haymarket for Gum Springs, his infantry well distributed through his 
trains. I chose a good position and opened with the artillery on his 
passing column with effect, scattering men, wagons and horses in wild 
confusion; disabled one of the enemy's caissons, which he abandoned, 
and compelled him to advance in order of battle to compel us to desist. 
As Hancock had the right of way on my road, I sent Fitz Lee's Brigade 
to Gainesville to reconnoitre and devoted the remainder of the day to 
grazing our horses."! 

This was the beginning of Stuart's famous raid in the rear 
of our army prior to the battle of Gettysburg. 

We went into camp that night at Gum Springs in the midst 
of a terrific shower, having made a march of twenty-five miles 
that day, — the longest march we had ever made. While at Gum 
Springs, a brigade consisting of four New York regiments, 
under the command of the gallant General Alexander Hays, 
joined our Corps. General Hays immediately took command 
of the Third Division. General Gibbon had commanded our 



IWar Records, Vol. XXVH, Part H, page 692. 



THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN 59 

Division since the assignment of General Howard, in April, 
to the command of the Eleventh Corps. 

The next morning, June 26th, gave promise of a beautiful 
summer day, and the Corps started for Edward's Ferry on the 
Potomac, a distance of twelve miles. After arriving at the 
Potomac, the Regiment waited until nearly midnight, when it 
crossed the river on a pontoon bridge and encamped for the 
night. Twenty-four hours later the Confederate General Stuart 
with his cavalry crossed the Potomac at Seneca, between 
Edward's Ferry and Washington. The Regimient on the next 
day marched through Poolesville and Barnesville, to the south- 
easterly slope of the Sugar Loaf Mountain, where it went into 
camp for the night. The next day's m:arch of eighteen miiles 
took the Regiment through a beautiful and fertile country, to 
Monocacy Junction. 

In their march from Virginia to Pennsylvania the Confed- 
erate cavalry did not keep upon the flanks of their army, as is 
usual, but started on a wild goose chase and went northeast 
of the Union Army and as a consequence, General Lee was not 
advised as to the movements of our troops as he would have been 
had his cavalry been at hand. Their cavalry, however, was 
able to create consternation in the Northern cities by their ap- 
pearing upon the banks of the Susquehanna in sight of Harris- 
burg and levying tribute upon the villages in southern Penn- 
sylvania. 

While the Union army was in the vicinity of Frederick City, 
General Hooker applied to General Halleck, General-in-Chief, 
for the 10,000 men, doing garrison duty at Harper's Ferry under 
General French. Halleck positively refused Hooker's request. 
Hooker desired the troops to unite with Slocum's Corps in order 
that they might attack Lee's communications, following up in 
his rear. General Hooker w^ent to Harper's Ferry on June 27th 
and while there he received a dispatch from General Halleck 
saying, " Maryland Heights have always been regarded as an 
important point to be held by us and much expense and labor 
incurred in fortifying them. I cannot approve their abandon- 
ment except in case of absolute necessity." To which General 
Hooker replied, " I have received your telegram in regard to 



6o THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Harper's Ferry. I find 10,000 men here in condition to take 
the field. Here they are of no earthly account. They cannot 
defend a ford of the river and as far as Harper's Ferry is con- 
cerned there is nothing of it. As for the fortifications, the work 
of troops, they remain when the troops are withdrawn. No 
enemy will ever take possession of them for them. This is my 
opinion. All of the public property could have been secured to- 
night and the troops marched to where they could have been 
of some service. Now they are but bait for the Rebels should 
they return. I beg that this may be presented to the Secretary 
of War and His Excellency, the President." General Hooker's 
request, which then seemed and now after the lapse of so many 
years, appears to have been reasonable, was curtly refused by 
General Halleck. General Hooker promptly offered his resigna- 
tion, which was as promptly accepted. Major-General George G. 
Meade, then commander of the Fifth Corps, was assigned to the 
command of the Army of the Potomac. He was a general of 
fine intellect, personal bravery and popular in his own Corps, 
but had never achieved any brilliant success or met v/ith any se- 
rious reverse. While dangerous to change the commander of an 
army on the eve of battle, the new commander was one who had 
served in that army from the beginning of the war. General 
Couch, in a diary kept by him, stated that he had a long private 
conversation with President Lincoln after the battle of Chan- 
cellorsville and advised the President to make a change in com- 
manders of the army, remarking that "Meade is the man for the 
place." In the General Order relinquishing command of the 
army, General Hooker commended General Meade to the sol- 
diers as a "brave and accomplished officer who has nobly 
earned the confidence and esteem in this army on many a well- 
fought field." His order was closed with an earnest prayer for the 
success of the Union arms. General Hooker was ordered to re- 
port in Baltimore and when he appeared a few days later in 
Washington to explain his action he was immediately put under 
arrest for visiting the Capital without Halleck's permission. 
This was a piece of petty and contemptible persecution, which 
might well have been omitted under the circumstances. It was, 
however, a short and easy method of replying to questions that 



THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN 6l 

would have otherwise been inconvenient to answer. General 
Halleck immediately placed the garrison at Harper's Ferry 
under Meade's control, as he ought to have done in the case 
of Hooker and the troops were withdrawn — something Hooker 
begged for but which was denied. General Hooker was right. 
The refusal of Halleck (who never liked Hookerj to permit the 
withdrawal of French from Harper's Ferry has no defenders 
at this time. 

It was the intention of General Meade to have the Second 
Corps set out early on the morning of the 29th and proceed to 
Uniontown. By a strange oversight or blunder of the orderly 
delivering the order it was not brought to the attention of 
General Hancock until between eight and nine o'clock in the 
morning. So the Corps set out on the longest day's march 
in its histor}', on the hot, sultry morning of the 29th of June, 
between eight and nine o'clock. Our Division took the advance 
of the Corps in the line of march. Sometime in the forenoon, 
after being three or four hours on the road, the Division came to 
a considerable creek, which could be crossed by fording knee- 
deep. There was, however, a timber thrown across the creek 
at the side of the road, hewn on top, which made a very re- 
spectable crossing for pedestrians. If the men crossed singly 
on this timber it would impede the march of the men, and strict 
orders were given that the men should ford the creek. Those 
in the rear saw the bunching of the men in the road ahead and 
then knew, without being told, what was coming. Many of the 
men dropped by the side of the road and removed their shoes 
and stockings and rolled up their trousers. Others kept in 
line, while still others scurried to the side and ran over the log 
crossing. No one need be told that the reason for the reluctance 
of the men fording this creek \\as that marching with one's 
shoes filled with water, over a dusty road, in the middle of a hot 
June day not only would cause much inconvenience in marching 
but it would also result in blistered feet and disabled men. One 
of the Division staff-officers rode back and forth near the cross- 
ing place and urged the officers to compel their men to ford the 
creek. Colonel Colvill, of the First Minnesota, gave the order 
for the men to wade through the water. His men, however. 



62 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

interpreted the manner of giving the order to mean for them to 
do as they pleased, which they proceeded to do. When the 
Division had passed this point and the staff -officer was returning 
to the head of the Division, the Nineteenth Maine, Fifteenth 
Massachusetts and First Minnesota joined in groaning at and 
hooting the staff-officer. He evidently thought that the First 
Minnesota was the chief sinner, and placed Colonel Colvill under 
arrest. When the First Minnesota was going into the action at 
Gettysburg Colonel Colvill asked to be released from arrest, 
and he went into the action with his gallant regiment on the 
2nd of July, where he was dangerously wounded. 

This day's march was through one of the most beautiful 
and fertile regions of the whole country. It was through a long, 
beautiful valley, shut in on both sides by hills and settled by 
prosperous farmers. It seemed like paradise to the soldiers 
who had for so long a time tramped over the desolate and barren 
soil of Virginia. Cherry trees, loaded with rich cherries, were 
upon the roadsides, and the hospitable people brought bread 
and milk to the tired and hungry soldiers. There was no time 
for eating or drinking. The column pressed forward. The sol- 
diers knew that some emergency had arisen which required this 
prolonged and painful march. When the column reached the 
beautiful town of Liberty, regiment after regiment filed into 
the fields and groves just north of the town and it was supposed 
that we were going into bivouac for the night. Hardly had the 
men thrown themselves upon the ground when the order to fall 
in came, and the men of the Nineteenth stretched their aching 
limbs, endeavoring to again take the swinging gait which they 
had kept up since morning. Late in the afternoon it was a little 
cooler. Occasionally stars appeared in the heavens, but still 
the tramp kept up. Just before nine o'clock on that night we 
reached Uniontown and filed into a beautiful grove to rest 
for the night, having made a march of thirty-two miles on that 
day. General Hancock issued an order which was read to the 
Corps the next morning thanking the men for their endurance 
in making their great march. 

All of General Lee's infantry had marched up the Cumber- 
land valley west of the Blue Ridge, having crossed the Potomac 



THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN 63 

at Williamsport, above Harper's Ferry. General Hooker had 
previous to his asking to be relieved detached Slocum for the 
purpose of assaiHng Lee's communications. As to Hooker's 
policy, I quote the following paragraph from General Double- 
day's history of Gettysburg: 

" The wisdom of Hooker's policy in desiring to assail the Rebel 
communications is demonstrated by the fact that Lee immediately 
turned back. The head of the serpent faced about as soon as its tail 
was trodden upon. He came to the conclusion to p'revent an attack 
against his rear by threatening Baltimore with his whole force. This 
would necessarily cause the Union army to march further east to con- 
front him and thus prevent it from operating in heavy force in the 
Cumberland valley. Accordingly, on the night of the 28th, Lee sent 
express to all of his corps commanders to concentrate at Gettysburg. 
If he had known that Meade was about to withdraw all the troops act- 
ing against his line of retreat, he would probably have gone on and 
taken Harrisburg."'l 

Lieutenant Palmer writes with respect to wading the 
stream north of Frederick City as follows; 

"On reaching the northern bank of the stream the soldiers intui- 
tively caught the new high step. The sole of the foot was raised to the 
rear, and the higher the step the better the drainage and the smaller 
the number of parboiled feet at supper time. There was no opportun- 
ity to stop there near the bank to remove the footwear or to use nature's 
wringers, for an army was upon our backs. We left some more of the 
stream when deployed in the field and made up our time by the strenu- 
ous push that followed. With all the disadvantage of wet clothing 
and soaked feet, the Regiment made the longest march that day that 
it ever made." 

Captain E. A. Burpee, in a letter written to Lieutenant 
Palmer, relates an incident which occurred at the close of this 
day's march, which is worth preserving. 

"When night came we had marched thirty- two miles, and a portion 
of the Regiment was ordered out on picket. You remember Captain 
Smith, yourself and myself lay in a little shelter tent together. Cap- 
tain Smith said, T think we are on the eve of a terrible battle and I feel 
that I shall be killed or wounded.' I said, 'Don't think that way. We 
all feel as if we might get hit.' He replied, ' No; but I have a present- 
ment that something is going to happen to me and I hope I shall be 
prepared to die.' " 

Three days later Captain Smith fell on the battlefield of 
Gettysburg. 

During the 30th the Regiment remained in camp and was 
mustered for pay. Early on the morning of July ist the Second 
Corps started for Gettysburg and after stopping a short time 

1 Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, p. 116. 



64 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

at Taneytown made a forced march the balance of the distance. 
While halting at Taneytown, General Meade learned of the dis- 
aster which had befallen the First Corps and he sent General 
Hancock forward to represent him on the field and to assume 
command of all the forces there. Late in the afternoon we 
started out and made good time until we arrived at our des- 
tination. Just after dark the Corps was halted by order of 
General Gibbon and was directed to get into position where the 
head of the column then was. Our Second Division took posi- 
tion on the left of the Taneytown road, our left being near the 
southeastern base of " Round Top," and the right near the road. 
The Third Division was posted upon the right of the road abreast 
of the Second, and the First Division in the rear of the other 
two. Arms were stacked and the men dropped down on the 
ground to sleep, and to many of them it was their last sleep on 
earth. At midnight General Meade and his staff rode by 
General Gibbon's headquarters on their way to the battlefield 
and General Meade stopped and conversed with General Gibbon 
for some little time. Gibbon commanded the Corps on the 
afternoon of July ist. Some twenty or twenty-five men, the 
pitiful remnant of the Sixteenth Maine, lay down to rest with us 
that night. Their Regiment had been nearly annihilated in the 
day's battle. A large portion of their Regiment had been cap- 
tured. Their account of the day's experience was not reassur- 
ing. 

The battle of Gettysburg has been described more fully 
and minutely than any other battle of the war. Gettysburg 
is the county seat of Adams County and at the time of the battle 
had a population of about three thousand. The town is in the 
center of the battlefield. Ten roads diverged from the town 
almost as regularly as spokes of a wagon-wheel from the hub. 
These roads lead to Hagerstown, Chambersburg, Mummasburg, 
Carlisle, Harrisburg, York, Hanover, Baltimore, Taneytown 
and Emmitsburg, and are named for the places to which they 
severally lead. Because of these unusual facilities for the con- 
centration of an army and the "lay of the land " in the vicinity, 
it would almost seem that Gettysburg had been designed for a 
battlefield. 



THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN 6^ 

Every loyal state east of the Mississippi except Kentucky^ 
together with Minnesota west of that river, and every one of 
Confederate states were represented by troops on the battlefield 
of Gettysburg. 

The Army of the Potomac had present for duty and on the 
battlefield, 83,900 men. This, however, included the Sixth Corps 
of 14,500 men, only a small portion of which was actively en- 
gaged. The Confederate army had upon the field and engaged 
about 70,000 infantry and artillery. In addition to these fig- 
ures, each side had about 10,000 cavalry. This would make the 
number actually engaged approximately equal. 

General Buford, with two cavalry divisions, went into 
camp, the night of June 30th, on the Chambersburg pike west 
of the town. He had discovered the enemy's camp-fires and 
had predicted that the next day the Confederates "three lines 
deep" would charge his forces. He was right in his prediction. 
His men on July ist most gallantly held their ground until the 
First Corps, under General Reynolds, came to their relief. 
Afterwards two divisions of the Eleventh Corps came upon the 
field and went into position on the right of the First Corps, 
but not until General Reynolds had been killed on the soil of 
his native state and almost within sight of his boyhood home. 
He was one of the soldier Generals of the army for whom his 
men had a fond attachment. The Divisions of Heth and 
Pender, of Hill's Corps, had come in during the night from the 
west, on the Chambersburg pike, and between one and two 
o'clock in the afternoon, Rodes' Division of five Brigades of in- 
fantry belonging to Ewell's Corps, made its appearance on the 
north of the town, coming in by the Carlisle road. Later in the 
day these two detachments of the Confederate army were rein- 
forced by other troops. The First and Eleventh Corps were 
driven from the field late in the afternoon by the overwhelming 
numbers opposed to them, the Eleventh Corps first retreat- 
ing pell-mell through the town. 

It was at this time that General Hancock appeared upon 
the scene. The panorama that opened out to his view as he 
galloped up on Cemetery Ridge, his horse covered with foam, 
was what might well have appalled a more timid man. Hancock 



66 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

took in the situation at a glance and formulated his plans. 
There was only one Brigade of infantry of the two Corps present, 
which was intact and had not been engaged. That was the 
brigade of Colonel Orland Smith, commanding the Second 
Brigade, Second Division, of the Eleventh Corps, which stood in 
line on Cemetery Hill, facing the town. Smith was a native of 
Maine and was Colonel of the Seventy-third Ohio. He had in 
his brigade two regiments from Ohio, two from New York and 
one from Massachusetts. This brigade General Hancock used 
as a neucleus about which to rally the retreating forces, and 
extended that Brigade line both to the right and left. Down 
the Baltimore pike poured the panic-stricken men of the Elev- 
enth Corps. On the left of Smith's Brigade was formed the 
shattered remnant of the First Corps, under General Double- 
day. Out of these beaten and disorganized troops a new line 
of battle was constructed, taking advantage of the contour of 
the ground. Ammunition was brought up and men fleeing from 
the battlefield slowly returned and rejoined their organizations. 
The inspiring presence of General Hancock soon restored confi- 
dence. Buford's cavalry was drawn up on the plain between 
Cemetery and Seminary Ridges with the same regularity and 
standing as steadily as if on parade. Within an hour and a half 
after Hancock had arrived upon the field and assumed com- 
mand he had dispatched a staff officer to General Meade, ad- 
vising him that he had selected a suitable position for defense 
and advised concentrating there. 

In contrast to the brave, chivalrous spirit of Hancock, one 
is confronted with the following words of the commander of 
the Eleventh Corps, written on the evening of July ist to 
General Meade. 

"General Hancock's order in writing to assume command reached 
here about seven. * * * The above has mortified me and will 

disgrace me. Please inform me frankly if you disapprove of my con- 
duct today, that I may know what to do. 

I am, General, very respectfully, 
I Your obedient servant, 

O. O. Howard, Major-General Commanding." 

Through manipulation, congress, in 1864, by joint resolu- 
tion, thanked Generals Hooker, Meade and Howard " for the 
skill and heroic valor displayed at Gettysburg." It took two 



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From"MAINE AT GETTYSBURG." 



THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN 67 

or three years to shame congress into acknowledging the great 
service of that brave soldier, General Hancock, by a resolution 
of thanks. 

General Warren, afterwards the illustrious commander of 
the Fifth Army Corps, was at this time Chief Engineer of the 
Army of the Potomac, and he was present on the afternoon of 
July I St and rendered great assistance to General Hancock. 

The first day's battle at Gettysburg was a Confederate 
victory. It was won because the Confederates had the most 
men there. Generally victories are won in that way. It was 
not a fruitful victory, however. Upon the retreat of the 
Eleventh Corps through Gettysburg and the First to Cemetery 
Hill, there was considerable confusion around our extreme 
right. The pursuit of the Confederates through the town was 
somewhat slow. General Lee instructed Ewell to carry Cem- 
etery Hill if he found it practicable, but to avoid a general en- 
gagement until the arrival of the other divisions of his army. 
This was the golden opportunity for the Confederates. They 
halted when Cemetery Hill was almost within their grasp. 
They could not then have fully realized its importance. Had 
they captured it, the great battle would not have been fought 
where it was. General Hancock wrote, in 1878, that in his 
opinion "if the Confederates had continued the pursuit of Gen- 
eral Howard on the afternoon of the ist of July, they would 
have driven him over and beyond Cemetery Hill." Hancock 
adds that after he arrived upon the field and assumed command 
and made his dispositions for defending that point, he did "not 
think the Confederate forces then present could have carried it." 

Our losses the first day were very heavy in killed and wound- 
ed and prisoners. The Confederate losses in killed and wounded 
were also large. The First Corps fought for six hours against 
more than twice its numbers and then did not withdraw until 
compelled to do so by the retreat of the Eleventh Corps on its 
right flank. It was here that the Sixteenth Maine under Colonel 
Tilden, belonging to Paul's Brigade and Robinson's Division 
of the First Corps, met its great loss. This regiment was ordered 
by General Robinson to take possession of the hill which com- 
manded a road, and hold the same as long as there was a man 



68 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

left. This sacrifice of the Regiment was regarded as necessary 
by General Robinson in order to save as much of his Division 
as possible. In the history of Gettysburg by John M. Vander- 
slice, it is stated that the Sixteenth Maine had two hundred and 
ninety-eight men in this engagement, and its loss on the ist 
of July was two hundred thirty-two, of which one hundred 
sixty-four were reported missing and sixty-eight as killed or 
wounded. Maine has reason to be proud of the service of this 
Regiment at Gettysburg. 

Captain James A. Hall, with the Second Battery, Maine 
Light Artillery, and Captain G. T. Stevens, with the Fifth 
Battery, belonging to the First Corps, suffered heavy losses 
here on the ist of July. f- 

General Doubleday was in command of the First Corps 
on the ist of July, as General Reynolds was in command of the 
left wing. Doubleday manoeuvred his Corps with great ability 
and the men fought with splendid gallantry that day. Yet 
General Meade relieved him at the close of the day and ap- 
pointed General Newton from the Sixth Corps to succeed him. 
Newton was Doubleday's junior in rank. General Doubleday 
was ordered to report to the Adjutant-General of the army at 
Washington on July 5th, and he had command of a portion of 
the defenses of Washington for a few days. After that he was 
assigned to court-martial duty and insignificant commands. 

Thursday morning, July 2nd, the position of the Union 
troops, which remained nearly the same through July 3rd, 
was as follows: The Twelfth Corps, under General Slocum, 
held the extreme right of the line, which included Gulp's Hill. 
Wadsworth's Division of the First Corps held the line between 
Gulp's Hill and Cemetery Hill. Then came the three Divisions 
of Howard's Eleventh Corps, Robinson's Division of the First 
Corps came next and extended across the Taneytown road as 
far as Zeigler's Grove, while Doubleday's Division of the First 
Corps was in the rear, in reserve. Passing to the left, next came 
Hancock's Second Corps, the Divisions of Hays, Gibbon and 
Caldwell. Sickles' Third Corps joined Hancock on the left. 
The Fifth Corps, under Sykes, which had marched all night from 
Hanover, came up in the early morning and occupied the ground 



THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN 69 

on and about Round Top, on the left of the Third Corps and 
the extreme left of the infantry line. Sedgwick's Sixth Corps 
arrived late in the afternoon of July 2nd, after a long, forced 
march, and was posted as a reserve. Buford's cavalry was on 
the left. 

The Union line from Cemetery Hill to Round Top faced 
nearly west, while from Cemetery Hill to the extreme right it 
faced east. The Union line of battle was about four miles long, 
being nearly semi-circular in shape. The two flanks of the army 
were only about a mile and a half apart. The Confederate line 
of battle was nearly the same shape, but being the outer line, 
was some five and a half miles long. On the Confederate right 
was Longstreet's Corps in front of Round Top. On Longstreet's 
left, extending along Seminary Ridge, was Hill's Corps, while 
Rodes' Division of Ewell's Corps occupied the town of Gettys- 
burg. Early's and Johnson's Divisions of Ewell's Corps held 
the Confederate left. The Division of Heth, belonging in this 
Corps, was in reserve, while Pickett's Division of Longstreet's 
Corps had not yet arrived. 

Our Brigade marched upon the battlefield on the morning 
of July 2nd at about seven o'clock. Webb's Philadelphia Bri- 
gade occupied the right of the division line. Hall's Brigade 
extended the line to the left. These two brigades covered about 
500 yards in line of battle. About 275 or 300 yards in their 
front was a large brick house, known as the Codori House. Our 
Brigade was stationed at first in reserve, some seventy-five 
yard in the rear of the center of the other two brigades, in close 
column, by regiments. Here we remained under the cannonad- 
ing of the enemy. While the Brigade was lying on the ground 
in reserve, a shell dropped into the line of the First Minnesota 
killing one man and severely wounding a Sergeant belonging 
to that regiment. About five o'clock the First Minnesota was 
taken from the Brigade and conducted a short distance to the 
left, to support Battery C, Fourth United States Artillery. 
The Fifteenth Massachusetts and Eighty-second New York were 
then taken and conducted to the front as far as the Em.mits- 
burg road and placed in position near the Codori House, to pro- 
tect the right flank of Humphreys' Division, which was being 



70 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

driven back. In the meantime, the Nineteenth Massachusetts 
and Forty-second New York had been taken out of the Third 
Brigade Une and sent to the left, as a support to some portion 
of Sickles' Corps. The First Division, under General Caldwell 
had also been withdrawn from our left and sent to report to 
General Sykes, to aid in extricating Sickles from his precarious 
situation. That left the Nineteenth Maine practically alone 
on the particular part of the field it then occupied. After these 
changes were made, the Regiment was then formed in line, taken 
somewhat to the left and advanced rapidly to the front. There 
were no troops then between its left company and the First 
Minnesota, about sixty rods away. General Hancock rode 
along and jumped from his horse and took the first man on the 
left (who was George Durgin of Company F) and conducted 
him forward about a couple of rods and a little to the left. He 
said to Durgin, "Will you stay here?" Durgin who was a short 
heavy man, looked up into the General's face and replied, " I'll 

stay here. General, until h 1 freezes over." The general 

smiled and ordered the Colonel to dress his regiment on that 
man, jumped upon his horse and galloped away. 

Sergeant Silas Adams, of Company F, furnishes the follow- 
ing description of the Regiment's experiences on the 2nd of 
July: 

"The Confederates made no attack in front of the position we 
were holding in the forenoon, but they evidently knew we were there. 
Every now and then they would pitch a shell over among us, which 
would strike in our midst, killing or wounding a number of men. All 
we could do was to lie there and guess where the next one would strike 
or who the next victim would be. We were near enough to the crest 
of the hill to get the full benefit of their fireworks. The Third Corps 
under General Sickles, was in full view, forming on the Emmitsburg 
road, his left division extending through a peach orchard toward Little 
Round Top. Sickles' right division, under General Humphreys, ex- 
tended along the Emmitsburg road toward the Codori house. In 
order to protect the right flank of the Third Corps, Battery B, First R. I. 
Artillery, the Eighty-second New York and Fifteenth Massachusetts 
Regiments were advanced to the Emmitsburg road and took position 
near the Codori house. We watched with intense interest the progress 
of the battle and soon saw that it was a losing fight on the part of the 
Third Corps. Through the smoke we could see the approach of the 
coming storm. Humphreys' Division was breaking up and coming 
toward us, yet stubbornly holding on and contesting every foot of 
ground. At last being overpowered by weight of numbers, Hum- 
phreys' line came back in confusion, — a broken, disorganized mass. 
This was late in the afternoon. Colonel Heath walked rapidly along 




Sergeant Silas Adams, Co. F. 



THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN 7I 

in front of the Regiment, cautioning the men to lie still and permit 
the retreating troops to pass over us. Our right extended well up the 
ridge, but there was no infantry connection on our left except the First 
Minnesota, some sixty rods away and more to the rear, east of the ra- 
vine. Two batteries joined us on the left and that brought their left 
gun quite to the head of the ravine. We lay upon our faces, hugging 
the ground. Nearer and nearer came the retreating soldiers of Hum- 
phreys' Division. Some of them were wounded and some of the 
wounded were being brought back by their comrades. They were all 
of them in a hurry. These men were not particular where they stepped 
in walking over us, they only seemed intent upon getting to the rear 
and out of the reach of their relentless pursuers. Yet there were many 
brave spirits among these routed troops. Some called out to us, 
'Hang on, boys, and we will form in your rear.' Others informed 
us that we were whipped and all was lost. A portion of the Excelsior 
Brigade tried to re-form and collected perhaps a hundred men, but 
they were soon swept away in the general panic. As soon as the last 
of the Third Corps got out of the way, we found the Confederates 
following and giving the routed men good and sufficient reasons for 
being in a hurry. The enemy was about thirty-five yards from our 
lines when Colonel Heath gave the order the rise and fire. The Nine- 
teenth had about 400 men in line of battle when the Regiment rose 
and delivered its deadly fire into the faces of the Confederates. They 
were staggered and halted. In this position of some thirty yards 
from their lines we fired about eight rounds each into their ranks. The 
Battery which joined us upon our left commenced firing the moment 
the front was clear of the Third Corps. These guns did most excellent 
work. The gunners, with coats off and sleeves rolled up, were working 
their guns throwing shell and canister into, and making terrible havoc 
in the enemy's ranks. Company F under Captain Starbird, held the 
left of the Regimental line. He discovered some of the enemy upon 
his left flank. The left of Company F was thrown back a short dis- 
tance to meet this new emergency. This movement to the rear, on 
the left of our line, exposed the battery on our left to capture, so the 
guns of the battery were drawn back to conform to our movement. 
The First Minnesota was stationed sixty-five rods to our left. This 
Regiment charged across the ravine, checking and driving back the 
Rebel brigade of Alabama troops under Wilcox. This renowned 
charge of the First Minnesota in its great loss has never been equaled in 
modem warfare. In killed and wounded, out of 263 men engaged, 
it lost in killed and wounded over 200. The advance of the Minnesota 
men uncovered the right of Perry's Florida Brigade, now under the 
command of Colonel Lang. 

"On July 2nd, the Fifty-ninth New York or the Seventh Michigan 
was the next regiment on our right, and the Twentieth Massachusetts 
was still further to its right. This was all of the Third Brigade in our 
line, as the Nineteenth Massachusetts and Forty-second New York 
had been ordered to the left, in support of Sickles. Then to the right 
of the Third Brigade was Webb's Brigade of our Division. While the 
Fifty-ninth New York and the Seventh Michigan repulsed the charge of 
the Confederates, these regiments did not attempt to follow them as 
they retreated across the Emmitsburg road. The Twentieth Massa- 
chusetts, on the right of these two regiments, never fired a shot except 
what firing was done by two companies on the skirmish line. The 
First Minnesota and the Nineteenth Maine were the only regiments in 
our Division that undertook to follow the Confederates across the 
Emmitsburg road. The Minnesota boys charged as far as our Regi- 



72 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

ment did, but owing to the fact that the Emmitsburg road did not run 
parallel with our line of battle, they did not reach that road. 

"A color Sergeant in front of the Rebel lines made himself con- 
spicuous, advancing to the front and waving his flag. Colonel Heath 
called out to some of his men, 'Drop that color-bearer.' A member of 
Company C responded and the Sergeant went down with his flag. 
During the progress of the battle, Colonel Heath received word that 
the enemy had made his appearance on our right flank. He ordered 
the Regiment to fall back, and it did so in perfect order. The distance 
the Regiment fell back did not exceed two or three rods, when they 
faced the enemy again and, in perfect alignment began firing again. 
While the Nineteenth was engaged in loading and firing, it was ob- 
served that a small body of men had formed in our rear. They were 
waving their flags and appeared to be cheering us on in the work we 
had in hand. They showed no anxiety, however, to advance with us. 
We heard the ringing order of Colonel Heath to fix bayonets. Then 
the order to charge was given and the Regiment started forward and 
down across the plain, like a tornado let loose. The men made much 
noise in the way of cheering. The Rebels fell back rapidly and our 
Regiment advanced nearly to the Emmitsburg road, capturing many 
prisoners, two stands of colors, three pieces of artillery and four cais- 
sons. The cannon and caissons were among the captures of the enemy 
from the Third Corps. In charging across the field, our men discovered 
the enemy making off with these captures, hauling them away with drag 
ropes. Colonel Heath ordered us to recapture them, which we did in 
short order. When the Regiment was ordered to halt, its right wing 
could not have been more than four rods from the Emmitsburg road, 
the left wing being somewhat further away, as the line of our advance 
was not at right angles with the road. When the Rebels had retreated 
beyond the point where we halted, they returned a brisk fire into our 
lines. We were ordered to lie down. In advancing, the left of our 
Regimental line passed over the flag of the Eighth Florida Regiment, 
and Colonel Heath stated that the right of our Regiment also brought 
down another Rebel flag in our charge across the plain. We had no 
infantry connection immediately upon our right or left. Just as we 
were ordered back, our attention was attracted by loud cheering in the 
rear. It was a portion of the Excelsior Brigade which had followed us 
about one-third of the distance we had charged and had come up to 
the Eighth Florida flag, lying upon the ground. These New York 
men were waving that Rebel flag and cheering wildly. The other 
Rebel flag over which we had charged was also picked up and some of 
the cannon from which the Nineteenth had driven the Rebels were 
hauled back as trophies of the valor of the Third Corps. 

"Our honors were rapidly disappearing. The trophies of our 
victory, so dearly earned, were borne away by the men following in 
our footsteps, far behind. The honor of capturing the Eighth Florida 
flag went to Sergeant Hogan of the Seventy-second New York, of the 
Excelsior Brigade. When Hogan picked up the flag in question there 
was not a live Rebel soldier within half a mile of him, unless such 
Rebel soldier was a prisoner of war. Colonel Brewster, commander of 
the Excelsior Brigade reports that he had collected about 150 men 
from four regiments of his Brigade at the time that Hogan picked up 
this flag. He also claims that they captured the Major of the Eighth 
Florida with this flag. This would be 'important it true.' The Major 
of that regiment, however, was not captured by anyone. When the 
Regiment returned to its former position, it took back the three twelve- 
pounders (brass) which it had captured, and four caissons. When we 



THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN 73 

reached the place from which we had charged, we found a new line 
of battle, made up of new troops from other corps. When the Regi- 
ment appeared upon the scene with the three guns and the four caissons 
coming from the direction of the enemy, the whole line went wild with 
cheers over the brilliant charge and capture by the Nineteenth Maine. 
Congratulations were extended the men of the Regiment upon every 
side." 

While elated by our success in repulsing the enemy, it was 
a very sad night to the most of the boys of the Regiment. When 
the roll was called, many a brave boy for the first time failed to 
respond to his name. The answers made by the living for their 
dead or wounded comrades were pathetic. As the names of 
the missing would be called, such answers as these would be 
returned: 'John was killed before we fired a shot." "I saw 
Frank throw up his arms and fall just after we fired the first 
volley." "Jim was shot through the head." 'Charley was 
killed while we were charging across the plain this side of the 
brick house." " 1 saw Joe lying on the ground, his face covered 
with blood, but he was not dead." "George was killed by a 
piece of shell, while we were firing." "Ed is lying dead some 
distance this side of the Emmitsburg road." Strong men 
sobbed as the heroic dead were named. 

The sun set on July 2nd at twenty-three minutes past 
seven, almanac time. It was nearly dusk when the Regiment 
returned from its charge. The boys of the Nineteenth lay 
down upon the ground to rest for the night at nearly the point 
from which we charged in the late afternoon. There was not 
much sleep that night. The cries of the wounded men, lying 
between the lines, suffering with pain and burning with fever 
were most pitiful. The writer vividly remembers responding 
to a cry for water a few rods in advance of where the Regiment 
was lying. It was yet hardly dark and the moon was shining. 
The poor fellow calling for help was a Confederate soldier. He 
was a fine looking boy, of some seventeen years, and stated 
that he belonged to one of the Georgia regiments of Wright's 
Brigade. He was shot through one of his lungs and was bleed- 
ing internally. The boy stated that he was the only child of a 
widowed mother and that he had run away from home, to enlist 
in the Southern army. His pallid face, blue eyes and quiver- 
ing lips appealed for sympathy and encouragement. He said 



74 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

that his mother was a Christian woman, but that he was not a 
Christian. Kneehng by his side, and at the earnest request of 
this young soldier, the writer, poorly prepared for the sacred 
duty, tried to pray with and comfort this dying boy. At the 
first dawn of day upon the following morning this Confederate 
boy was found in just the position the writer had placed him 
the evening before, — his eyes glazed in death, looking up into 
the morning sky, yet not seeing nor caring then. The poor 
mother waiting at the lonely hearthstone never knew what had 
become of her only child. She no doubt lived in the belief, as 
well she might, that her prayers had followed and influenced 
the life and character of her boy. Other mothers, heart- 
broken, all over the country waited in vain for the coming of 
the boy who never returned. Such is war. 

The most of the authorities on the battle of Gettysburg 
claim that it was Wright's Georgia Brigade that our Regiment 
charged against on the night of July 2nd. It is unquestion- 
ably true, as Sergeant Adams asserts, that the left of our line 
passed over the flag of the Eighth Florida Regiment lying upon 
the ground. The explanation of this apparent discrepancy 
probably lies in the fact that the left of the Florida Brigade 
and the right of the Georgia Brigade became mingled in their 
charge. When the First Minnesota drove back Wilcox' Brig- 
ade of Alabamians, the Florida Brigade being next to them, 
swerved to their left and toward our right, to avoid the Minne- 
sota men. In the formation of Wright's Georgia Brigade, the 
Forty-eighth Regiment was on its extreme left; yet the flag 
of this regiment was captured by the Eighty-second New York 
of our Brigade, although the Fifty-ninth New York is given the 
credit for the capture of this flag. The Eighty-second cap- 
tured this flag after it had been driven from Codori House to 
our line in the early part of the battle and then had re-formed 
and charged toward the Emmitsburg road. The io6th Penn- 
sylvania, which was then upon the immediate right of the 
Eighty-second New York, claimed to have captured William 
Gibson, the Colonel of the Forty-eighth Georgia. Colonel 
Lang, the commander of the Florida Brigade, reported that he 
advanced the same time that General Wilcox did with his brig- 



THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN 75 

ade, and after he had advanced to the foot of Cemetery Hill, he 
was informed that Wilcox had fallen back. Going to the right 
of his brigade he discovered that our men had passed him, going 
more than one hundred yards toward the Emmitsburg road. 
Upon seeing this, Colonel Lang ordered his Brigade to retire. 
It was the First Minnesota that checked Wilcox, and Sergeant 
Adams reports that the position of this regiment was more than 
sixty rods to our left. Colonel Colvill, of the First Minnesota, 
in a communication written before his death, acknowledged 
his indebtedness to the Nineteenth Maine for its flank fire upon 
the Confederates pressing his right. 

Colonel W. F. Fox, in his history of New York at Gettys- 
burg, states that Anderson's Brigades were "checked by the 
well-directed flank fire from the Nineteenth Maine, of Har- 
row's Brigade." 

In his report. General Hancock speaks of the repulse of 
the enemy on July 2nd, in front of Gibbon's Division and adds 
the following complimentary allusion to our Regiment: "In 
this last operation the Nineteenth Maine, Colonel F. E. Heath 
commanding, bore a conspicuous part." General Harrow in his 
official report, stated that "the enemy continued to advance 
until they attacked with great fury the commands of Colonels 
Colvill and Heath, endeavoring to take the batteries under 
their protection." General Harrow then commends in the 
strongest language the conduct of Lieutenant Evan Thomas, 
commanding Battery C, Fourth United States Artillery, be- 
tween our Regiment and the First Minnesota, and the effective 
fire of Thomas' guns. General Harrow then adds the following 
in his report: "Colonel Heath, Nineteenth Maine Volunteers, 
was attacked with equal desperation, the enemy at one time ob- 
taining possession of three of the guns of the battery on his left. 
These guns he retook and carried from the field, most of the 
battery horses having been killed and many of the gunners 
killed and wounded. The officers and men of this command, 
as also the officers and men of the battery, deserve high com- 
mendation for their determination and valor." 

After our charge troops from other corps were hurried into 
the space occupied earlier in the day by Caldwell's Division, 



76 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

but before they arrived the Confederate brigades had been 
pounded back across the Emmitsburg road. 

A statement appears in the history of the Nineteenth 
Maine in the volume, "Maine at Gettysburg," pubhshed by 
authority of the State, that the author believes is entitled to 
no credence whatever. This statement represents General 
Humphreys, on the night of July 2nd, riding back in front of 
his retreating division to our Regiment, then lying upon the 
ground, and ordering our men to rise and stop, with the bay- 
onet, the retreating soldiers of his command. It is further 
stated that Colonel Heath refused to permit his men to obey * 
the order, and that General Humphreys rode down our Regi- 
mental line giving the order himself, and that Colonel Heath 
followed, countermanding the order. This statement, in a 
modified form, first appeared many years after the war. As 
originally given out by Colonel Heath, it was that an officer 
whom he supposed was General Humphreys ordered him to 
have his men, with the bayonet, stop the retreating troops. 
General Humphreys died December 27, 1883. This fiction 
really never appeared until years after his death. The late 
Captain Nash never placed any credence in this story. Neither 
does Major Charles Hamlin, the Assistant Adjutant-General 
of Humphreys' Division. Doubtless some officer did urge 
Colonel Heath to do what he claims. The colorless report 
which Colonel Heath made of the engagement, in which he 
devotes less than six lines to the most heroic act in the history 
of the Regiment, does not reflect any special credit upon him. 
He claims that he originally furnished a fuller report, which by 
reason of his criticism of other troops in that engagement, was 
returned to him disapproved. As late as 1889, Colonel Heath, 
in a letter, related this episode as to Humphreys. He did not 
then assert that the officer who ordered him to halt the retreat- 
ing men of the Third Corps was General Humphreys. A West 
Point officer as strict and punctilious as General Humphreys 
would not be likely to do what is charged in this distorted 
account. 

On the evening of July 2nd, the prospects of our army did 
not then appear hopeful to the Union officers. During the after- 



THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN 



77 



noon the Third Corps had been almost annihilated. The First 
Division of the Second Corps and two Divisions of the Fifth in 
the contests in the Wheat Field and at the base of Little Round 
Top had lost one-half of their men. The enemy's line of battle 
was much further advanced upon our left than in the morning. 
A portion of our breastworks at Culp's Hill was also in the pos- 
session of the enemy. The situation was serious enough for 
anxious consideration. 

There was a celebrated council of war upon the field of 
Gettysburg on the night of July 2nd, of which the private 
soldier was supposed to know nothing. Privates may, however, 
observe their commanding officers and m.ake mental note of 
their appearance. 

General Meade, the commander of the army, was a tall, 
spare man with grayish whiskers and a large nose, and he always 
wore spectacles. He was then forty-eight years old, and he 
might then have been taken for a Presbyterian clergyman, un- 
less one approached him when he was mad. General Double- 
day was not in that council; though many thought he ought to 
have been. He was a New Yorker by birth and forty-four 
years old. He had a large head, high forehead, was rather 
stout in appearance, had brown hair and wore a moustache. 
He was rather distinguished looking. General Newton, the 
First Corps commander, was a thick set man, with brown hair, 
a ruddy complexion and a clean shaven face. He was forty-four 
years of age and a fine looking man. General Hancock, the 
gallant commander of the Second Corps, was the best looking 
officer in the army. He was tall and well proportioned, had a 
ruddy complexion, brown hair, and he wore a moustache and 
tuft of hair upon his chin. He was thirty-nine years old. Had 
General Hancock worn citizen's clothes, his order would have 
been obeyed anywhere, for he had the appearance of a man 
born to command. General Gibbon had command of the Sec- 
ond Corps much of the time until he was wounded. He was 
in the council on the night of July 2nd. Gibbon was a man of 
the same age and about the same size as General Slocum. He 
had brown hair and a reddish moustache. He was, upon the 
whole, a good looking officer and never appeared nervous 



78 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

nor excited. General Sykes, who commanded the Fifth Corps, 
had rather a florid complexion, browa hair and blue eyes. He 
was small in size, gentlemanly in appearance, wore a full beard 
and was then forty-one years of age. General Sedgwick, the 
beloved commander of the Sixth Corps, did not have much 
about him to indicate his military education. He was heavy- 
set, had brown hair, inclined to auburn in color, and always 
wore a full beard. He was fifty years old, and was "Uncle 
John" to his boys. There was probably not a more popular 
corps commander in the army. General Howard was the 
youngest of the corps commanders, being thirty-three years old. 
He had a dignified manner, had brown hair, wore a full beard 
and had blue eyes. He attracted attention because of his empty 
sleeve, having lost an arm at the battle of Fair Oaks. The 
Twelfth Corps was commanded by General Slocum, a man with 
black hair and eyes, slight in build and of somewhat nervous 
temperament. He was thirty-six years old. General Pleason- 
ton, who commanded our cavalry, was thirty-nine years old. 
He had brown hair and beard. During this campaign. General 
Pleasonton wore a straw hat. General Buford, who inaugu- 
rated the battle, was thirty-eight years old and died of disease 
six months later, on the very day his commission as Major- 
General, to date from July ist, '63, was placed in his hands. 
Buford was a fine officer. None of these officers would weigh 
to exceed 150 to 160 pounds. 

These Union officers averaged younger than the men in 
high command among the Confederates. At this time. General 
Lee was fifty-seven years of age; Longstreet forty-two; Ewell 
forty-six, and A. P. Hill thirty-seven. General Stuart, the 
commander of their cavalry, was only thirty, while Wade 
Hampton was forty-five. 

The decision of this council was that we were to wait the 
attack of the enemy and fight it out here, watching for any 
favorable opportunity to administer a counter stroke. This 
was a wise conclusion. Several persons, either through malice 
or a desire to exalt themselves have asserted that Meade was 
desirous at this time of retreating from the field to the line of 
Pipe Creek. Some credence was attached to this assertion im- 



THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN 79 

mediately after the war, but nobody of intelligence believes 
it now. 

At sunrise, Friday morning July 3rd, there were four com- 
panies, (B, D, E, and F), of our Regiment, under command of 
Captain Fogler, detailed for the skirmish line. We moved some 
distance to the right and then advanced toward the Emmitsburg 
road. When these companies had reached nearly to the road 
they took distance by the left flank. Company F occupied 
the right of the skirmish line and Company B the left. The 
extreme right of the line was quite near the Emmitsburg road 
and opposite the Codori House. The extreme left of the 
skirmish line was further from the road than the right. Our 
four companies and fifty men from the io6th Pennsylvania 
on our right covered the entire Division line. 

We had drawn no rations the day before, and many of the 
boys had not tasted food for twenty-four hours. Most of them 
went to their posts without breakfast, and we had no opportun- 
ity to procure water on that morning. The 3rd of July, 1863, 
was an intensely hot day. There was hardly a breath of air 
stirring. From sunrise until one o'clock in the afternoon those 
companies in the Brigade line had the more desirable position. 
The four companies on the skirmish line were obliged to hug the 
ground concealing their bodies in the grass as best they could, 
to avoid the Confederate sharpshooters concealed in buildings, 
behind fences, trees and rocks on the rising slope beyond the 
Emmitsburg road. The men in the line of battle could pro- 
tect themselves from bullets of the enemy by lying behind the 
slight works that had been hastily constructed on Cemetery 
Hill. 

At one o'clock in the afternoon there was suddenly opened 
the most terrific cannonading ever witnessed on this continent. 
On Seminary Ridge one hundred and thirty-eight Confederate 
guns were turned upon our lines, and mostly upon Gibbon's 
Division of the Second Corps. This was the point of attack 
selected by General Lee for his last mighty effort to break the 
Union lines. A clump of trees, the center of the point of attack, 
was about the middle of the Second Corps line. Owing to the 
form of the Union line, only about eighty Union guns responded 



80 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

to the Confederate challange. The Confederate Hne was con- 
cave on the side toward us, and their guns were throwing pro- 
jectiles of every kind at our line of battle. The very earth 
seemed to tremble as if in the convulsions of a mighty earth- 
quake. The earth was thrown up in clouds and the air filled 
with screeching missiles of death. Upon every side horses were 
falling and ca'ssons exploding. Animals fled in terror. Horses 
accustomed to the noises of battle neighed in fright. Shells 
exploding in the air sent their jagged fragments in all direc- 
tions. Mothers in neighboring houses, with pale faces and 
white lips, clasped their little children in their arms in mortal 
fear. The crash and roar were unearthly. It is impossible to 
describe the horror and suffering and havoc of this hour. 

Partly to deceive the enemy and partly to meet the an- 
ticipated assault, the Union lines slackened fire a little before 
three o'clock. The Confederates thought they had silenced our 
guns and felt greatly encouraged. The troops of Pickett's 
Division of Longstreet's Corps which had not yet been engaged 
had been massed in the meantime under cover of the ridge 
running between Seminary Ridge and the Emmitsbury road. 
Heth's Division, now under the command of Pettigrew^ was 
formed to the rear and left of Pickett behind Seminary Ridge. 
The troops of Wilcox, Perry and Wright were formed in the rear 
and to the right of Pickett's line. The Brigades of Scales and 
Lane, from Pender's Division, were formed in the rear of Petti- 
grew. This body of troops, formed for the purpose of annihilat- 
ing Gibbon's Division, numbered about 15,000 men. General 
Hunt, Chief of Artillery, had been informed by signal from 
General Warren, located on Round Top, that these troops were 
forming for an attack behind the hills. We did not have long to 
wait. The advance troops of this charging column, marching 
with regular quick step toward us, appeared beyond the Emmits- 
burg road. Kemper's Brigade of Pickett's Division held the 
right of their line, and on its left was Garnett's Brigade; while 
Armistead's Brigade was slightly in their rear, hurrying forward 



1 Brigadier General Joseph R. Davis, a brother of Jefferson Davis, 
commanded one of the Brigades in Pettigrew's Division, 




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THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN 8l 

to take position on their left. Pickett's Division was composed 
exclusively of Virginia troops. -1 

The long line of Confederate infantry nearly a mileT^in 
length as it came into view, presented one of the most inspiring 
sights ever seen on a field of battle. There was a coolness, an 
air of discipline and a precision of movement that called forth 
from the Union soldiers a spontaneous expression of admiration. 
Neither the enfilading nor front fire of our batteries delayed 
for an instant the advance of the Confederates' decimated ranks. 
Whenever and wherever a gap was made, they closed up prompt- 
ly and moved steadily forward. General Pickett's Division was 
well on the Confederate right and in advance. Immediately 
the Union batteries to the right and left of the Second Corps and 
about Little Round Top opened fire. A better target was never 
offered the Union artillerists. Into the ranks of these devoted 
men were hurled shot and shell and shrapnel. The cannoneers 
standing at their guns shouted to our skirmishers to hurry in as 
they were going to open fire. Pickett himself did not cross 
the Emmitsburg road. 

As the Confederate lines approached nearer, the guns from 
the batteries of the Second Corps, commanded by Woodruff, 
Arnold, Cushing, Rorty and Cowan, opened with canister upon 
the ranks of these brave Confederates. 

Stannard's Brigade of Doubleday's Division was located 
on the left of our Division and somewhat in advance of the Divi- 
sion line. Two of Stannard's regiments changed front forward 
on first company and opened a destructive fire on Kemper's 
right flank. This caused Kemper's Brigade to crowd to the 
left. Armistead's Brigade, instead of joining on the left of 
Pickett's Division, now moved rapidly between Kemper and 
Garnett. This brought Pickett's men opposite the angle of the 
stone wall, held by a portion of Webb's Brigade. As Pickett's 
Division approached this wall, it was joined on its left by the 
Tennessee Brigade of Frye from Pettigrew's Division, and also 
a North Carolina brigade hurried from the rear and joined 
Garnett near the angle of this wall. Upon the Sixty-ninth and 
Seventy-first Pennsylvania of Webb's Brigade fell the full force 
of Pickett's attack. These regiments were driven back. Gar- 



32 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

nett was shot dead and fell from his horse within twenty-five 
paces of the stone wall and Kemper was wounded. Cushing's 
guns had been advanced to the stone wall. The brave Gushing, 
wounded, fires the last gun and falls dead among his gunners. 
General Armistead, with his hat raised upon his sword and ac- 
companied by several hundered men jumped over the Union 
breastworks. The exultant "Rebel yell," sounding like wolf 
cries, is heard. The Union line was broken. For a few minutes 
the Confederate flags were waving on the wall and in our hnes. 
It seemed for a time that Pickett's charge had been successful, 
and perhaps it might have been had he been properly supported. 
General Hancock, mounted on his black charger, gallops 
to and fro, hurrying reinforcements to the point of the broken 
hnes when a ball strikes him near the groin and he falls from 
his saddle into the arms of some of Stannard's staff-officers. 
General Gibbon, in his life-time, informed the writer that while 
hurrying with the Nineteenth Maine and Twentieth Massachu- 
setts toward the captured angle of the wall, he fell wounded 
among our troops. His brave Assistant Adjutant-General, 
First Lieutenant Frank A. Haskell, was mounted during all this 
engagement and was in the front line encouraging our men. He 
was highly complimented for his conspicuous bravery and dar- 
ing in the reports of many of the general officers. Haskell was 
killed at the battle of Cold Harbor the next June when Colonel 
of the Thirty-sixth Wisconsin and while commandmg our 
Brigade in its unsuccessful assault upon the Confederate works 
The Nineteenth Maine hurried to the right and joined 
the troops in front of Pickett's men. It was here that Colonel 
Heath was wounded. Several regiments from our own Brigade 
and that of Colonel Hall hurried to Webb's assistance, and with- 
out much organization, were massed, many deep, around the 
hapless Confederates who had penetrated our hnes. For ten 
or fifteen minutes the contending forces, in some places within 
rifle.length of each other and in other places hopelessly mingled, 
fought with desperation. Those in front used the butt ends of 
their rifles, and those in the rear of the crowd of Union soldiers 
fired over the heads of those in front, and some of them hurled 
stones at the heads of the Confederates. The ground was cover- 



THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN 83 

ed with men dead, and men wounded and bleeding. In swift 
succession the Confederate flags went down and the men who 
had crossed the wall, despairing of success, threw up their hands 
in token of surrender. General Armistead was mortally wound- 
ed, thirty-three yards within our lines, and Kemper was severely 
wounded and taken prisoner. Many of the Confederates who 
had not got within our lines started in retreat and scores of 
them were shot down on their way. When the smoke and dust 
lifted, it was found that the three brigades of Pickett's Division 
had been nearly annihilated. 

The troops of Gibbon and Hays in this fight captured 
nearly thirty Confederate flags and about 4,000 prisoners. 
Troops were hurried from the other corps to aid in repulsing 
this attack, but it had ended before they arrived. 

General Hancock urged Genera'l Meade to put into action 
the troops that had not been engaged and make a counter attack 
upon the enemy. There was so much confusion, however, and 
for other reasons not necessary to discuss here, this advice was 
not acted upon. 

Colonel Hall, commanding the Third Brigade of our Divi- 
sion, in speaking of the repulse of Pickett's charge states, 
"The Fifteenth Massachusetts, First Minnesota and Nine- 
teenth Maine had joined the line and are entitled to a full share 
in the credit of the final repulse." 

General Longstreet calls attention to the mistake of Kil- 
patrick at the time of Pickett's charge in not putting Farns- 
worth into action farther to our left instead of pitting him 
against Confederate infantry and artillery, where his life was 
uselessly sacrificed. His language is, " Kilpatrick's mistake 
was in not putting Farnsworth in on Merritt's left, where he 
would have had an open ride and made more trouble than was 
ever made by a cavalry brigade. Had the ride been followed by 
prompt advance of the enemy's infantry in line beyond our 
right and pushed with vigor, they would have reached our line 
of retreat."^ 

The Confederates at this time had no cavalry upon their 
right. Gen eral Lee's plan was to send Stuart's cavalry with 

IFrom Manassas to Appomattox, p 396 



84 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

a part of Ewell's Corps during Pickett's charge around our ex- 
treme right flank and rear, thus accomplishing the complete 
rout of the Union army if Pickett's charge was successful. 
Stuart found, however, confronting him General D. McM. Gregg 
with his own Division of cavalry and that of Custer's Brigade 
from Kilpatrick's Division. Here occurred one of the most 
closely contested cavalry engagements of the war, which resulted 
in routing and driving Stuart from the field. It was here that 
General Wade Hampton was wounded. 

In his description of Pickett's charge, Lieutenant Frank A. 
Haskell, the Assistant Adjutant-General of our Division, wrote, 

"I was riding toward the right of the Second Division, with purpose 
to stop there, as the most ehgible position to watch the further progress 
of the battle, there to be ready to take part according to iny own notions 
whenever and wherever occasion was presented. The conflict was 
tremendous, but I had seen no wavering in all our line. Wondering 
how long the Rebel ranks, deep though they were, could stand our 
sheltered volleys, I had come near my destination, when — Great 
Heaven! Were my senses mad? The larger portion of Webb's Brigade 
— My God, it was true — there by the group of trees and the angles of 
the wall, was breaking from the cover of their works, and without 
orders or reason, with no hand lifted to check them, was falling back, 
a fear-stricken flock of confusion. The fate of Gettysburg hung upon 
a spider's single thread * * * ]yjy sword that had always hung 
idle by my side, the sign of rank only in every battle, I drew, bright and 
gleaming the symbol of command. Was not that a fit occasion, and 
these fugitives the men on whom to try the temper of the Solingen 
steel? AH rules and proprieties were forgotten; all considerations of 
person and danger and safety despised; for, as I inet the tide of these 
rabbits, the damned red flags of the rebellion began to thicken and 
flaunt along the wall they had just deserted, and one was already wav- 
ing over the guns of the dead Gushing. I ordered these men to 'halt' 
and 'face about' and 'fire' and they heard my voice and gathered my 
meaning and obeyed my commands. On some unpatriotic backs of 
those not quick of comprehension, the flat of my sabre fell not lightly, 
and at its touch their love of country returned, and, with a look at me 
as if I were the destroying angel as I might have become theirs, they 
again faced the enemy. General Webb soon came to my assistance. 
He was on foot, but he was active, and did all that one could do to re- 
pair the breach or to avert the calamity. * * * Webb has but 
three regiments, all small, the 69th, 71st and 72nd Pa. — the 106th Pa., 
except two companies, is not here today — and he must have speedy 
assistance or this crest will be lost. * * * ^g a last resort, I re- 
solved to see if Hall and Harrow could not send some of their commands 
to reinforce Webb. * * General Harrow I did not see but his fight- 
ing men would answer my purpose as well. The 19th Maine, the 15th 
Mass., the 82nd N. Y. and the shattered old thunderbolt, the 1st Minne- 
sota, — poor Farrel was dying then upon the ground where he had fallen, 
— all men that I could find I took over to the right at the double 

"These men of Penn., on the soil of their own homesteads, the 



THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN 85 

first and only to flee the wall must be the first to storm it 'Major 
- — .lead your men over the crest, they will follow.' 'By the tac- 
tics I understand my place is in the rear of the men.' 'Your pardon 
SIT- i see your place is in the rear of the men. I thought you were fit to 

it- ".c \^P\^^^ . come on with your men.' 'Let me first stop 

this fire m the rear, or we shall be hit by our own men.' 'Never 
mind the fire in the rear; let us take care of this in the front first " 
************ 
"Just as the fight was over, and the first outburst of victory had 
a little subsided, when all in front of the crest was noise and confusion 
—prisoners being collected, small parties in pursuit of them far down 
into the fields, flags waving, officers giving quick, sharp commands to 
tneir men— -1 stood apart a few moments upon the crest, by that group 
ot trees which ought to be historic forever, a spectator of the thrillinor 
scene around. Some few musket shots were still heard in the Third 
IJivision; and the enemy's guns, almost silent since the advance of his 
intantry until the moment of his defeat, were dropping a few sullen 
shells among friend and foe upon the crest. Rebellion fosters such 
humanity. Near me, saddest sight of the many of such a field and not 
m keeping with all this noise, were mingled alone the thick dead of 
Maine and Minnesota, and Michigan and Massachusetts, and the Empire 
and the Keystone States, who, not yet cold, with the blood still oozing 
trom their death-wounds, had given their lives to the country upon that 
stormy held. So mingled upon that crest let their honored graves be. 
wi? "^u ^^ about us. These dead have been avenged already 
Where the long lines of the enemy's thousands so proudly advanced 
see how thick the silent men of gray are scattered. It is not an hour 
since these legions were sweeping along so grandly ; now sixteen hundred 
1 ^ \, T ^^^^ ^^^ strewn among the trampled grass, dead as the 
clods they load; more than seven thousand, probably eight thousand. 
are wounded, some there with the dead, in our hands, some fugitive 
tar towards the woods, among the Generals, Pettigrew, Gamett, 
Kemper and Armistead, the last three mortally, and the last one in 
our hands. Tell General Hancock,' he said to Lieutenant Mitchell, 
nancock s aide-de-camp, to whom he handed his watch, 'that I know 
^.id my country a great wrong when I took up arms against her, for 
which 1 am sorry, but for which I cannot live to atone . ' Four thousand 
not wounded, are prisoners of war. * * * * * 

''See how great a General looked upon the field and what he said 
and did at the moment, and when he learned of his great victory To 
appreciate the incident, it should be borne in mind that one coming 
up from the rear of the line, as did General Meade, could have seen 
very httle of our own men, who had now crossed the crest, and although 
he could have heard the noise, he could not have told its occasion or 
by whoni made, until he had actually attained the crest. One who 
did not know results, so coming, would have been quite as likely to 
have supposed that our line there had been carried and captured by 
the enemy— so many gray Rebels were on the crest— as to have dis- 
covered the real truth. Such a mistake was really made by one of 
our officers, as I shall relate : 

A -A "p^^^^al Meade rode up, accompanied alone by his son, who is his 
Aide-de-camp, an escort, if select, not large for a commander of such an 
arrny . 1 he principal horseman was no bedizened hero of some holiday 
review, but he was a plain man, dressed in a serviceable summer suit 
ot dark blue cloth, without badge or ornament, save the shoulder-straps 
of his grade, and a light, straight sword of a General or general staff 
officer. He wore heavy, high-top boots and buff gauntlets, and his 



86 THE NINETEENTH M INE REGIMENT 

soft black felt hat was slouched down over his eyes. His face was 
very white, not pale, and the lines were marked and earnest and full 
of care. As he arrived near me, coming up the hill, he asked in a 
sharp, eager voice: 'How is it going here?' 'I believe, General, the 
enemy's attack is repulsed,' I answered. Still approaching, and a new 
light began to come in his face, of gratified surprise, with a touch of in- 
credulity, of which his voice was also the medium, he further asked : 
'What! Is the assault already re pulsed f his voice quicker and more 
eager than before. 'It is. Sir,' I replied. By this tiine he was on the 
crest, and when his eye had for an instant swept over the field, taking 
in just a glance of the whole, — the masses of prisoners, the numerous 
captured flags which the men were derisively flaunting about, the fugi- 
tives of the routed enemy, disappearing with the speed of terror in the 
woods — partly at what I had told him, partly at what he saw, he said 
impressively, and his face lighted : 'Thank God.' " 

There were more men killed and wounded in the Second 
Corps at Gettysburg than any other corps in the army. The 
losses in the Regiment were somewhat greater on the 2nd of 
July than on the 3rd. 

Casualties in the Regiment at the Battle of Gettysburg 

Colonel Francis E. Heath, wounded, shoulder, July 3rd. Major James W. Welch, 
wounded, scalp. Sergeant-Major George A. Wadsworth, wounded, head. 

COMPANY A. 

Corpora] Abner Baker, wounded, breast; died August 6th, Summit House Hospital, 
Philadelphia. Corporal Payson T. Heald, wounded, arm; died Aug. S, '63, Summit 
House Hospital, Phila. Charles W. Collins, killed July 2nd. 

Sergeant Charles H. Colbum, wounded, leg, July 3rd. Corporal Gardiner W. Bige- 
low, wounded, arm, July 2nd. William F. Buker, wounded, hands. Benjamin F. 
Charles, wounded, leg, July 3rd. John P. Church, wounded, arm. Andrew Kennison, 
wounded July 2nd, leg amputated. Samuel Leavitt, wounded, shoulder, July 3rd. 
William B. Murphy, wounded, leg, July 3rd. Louis Vigne, wounded July 3rd. 

COMPANY B. 

Second Lieutenant Leroy S. Scott, wounded July 2nd; died July 13th. Sergeant 
Edwin A. Howes, killed. Ira Z. Bennett, (Battery) killed, July 2nd. Frank Coffin, 
wounded, thigh, July 3rd; died July 14th. Job P. Flagg, wounded, breast; died Dec. 
2nd, York, Pa. Eli Noyes, missing, July 3rd; probably killed. 

First Lieutenant Elisha W. Ellis, wounded, side. Sergeant Bejamin S. Crooker, 
wounded head. Corporal William Briggs, wounded, ankle. Corporal Alvin H. Ellis, 
wounded, thigh. Corporal Abial Turner, wounded, side, July 2. George F. Chapman, 
wounded, arm and side. Orson E. Crummett, wounded, head. Watson Curtis, wounded, 
hand. William H. Curtis, wounded, side. Willard R. Hardy, wounded, both hands. 
Isaac Hills, wounded, thigh. William Hubbard, wounded, head. Moses Larrabee Jr. 
Wounded. Marshall H. Rand, wounded. Mark L. Whitney, wounded, leg, July 2nd. 

COMPANY C. 

Sergeant Alexander W. Lord, killed. Corporal Christopher Erskine, mortally 
wounded July 3rd; died July Sth. Corporal Gustavus L. Thompson, killed. Fred- 
erick S. Call, mortally wounded; died Aug. 2Sth. Abijah Crosby, wounded July 3rd; 
died July Sth. George E. Hodgdon, wounded July 2nd; died Aug. 24th. Elbridge 
P. Pratt, killed. Joseph P. Woodward, killed. 

Second Lieutenant Francis H. Foss, wounded, neck. Sergeant George Dunbar, 
wounded, elbow. Sergeant William H. Emery, wounded, head. Sergeant Henry W. 
Nye, wounded, head and shoulder. Corporal Lindley H. Whittaker, wounded. John B. 
Adams, wounded, hip and shoulder. James L. Blethen, wounded, head and arm. Henry 
Emery, wounded, foot. Lorenzo D. Oilman, wounded, knee. Joseph E. Haskell, 
wounded, leg. Charles W. Jones, wounded, head. Jonathan Lewis, wounded, elbow. 
Sullivan A. Maxim, wounded, leg. John.son Shaw, wounded, foot; amputated. William 
Spaulding, wounded, arm. Reuben R. Webb, wounded, thigh. 



THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN 87 

COMPANY D. 

Corporal Robert T. Newell, mortally wounded; died July 9th. Corporal Jesse 
A. Wilson, mortally wounded, died July 3rd. Corporal Alfred P. Waterman, wounded 
July 2nd; died July 4th. Alden Cunningham, killed. Roswell Haire, mortally wound- 
ed; died July 4. Louira Kelley, killed. John Merriam, mortally wounded, died Aug. 
2Sth. James Robbins, killed July 3rd. Hushai C. Thomas, mortally wounded, died 
July 21st. 

-First Lieutenant Edward R. Cunningham, wounded, breast. Sergeant George L. 
Starkey, wounded July 2nd; leg amputated. Corpora! Francis C. Wood, wounded, arm. 
James C. Brown, wounded, leg. Henry D. Byard, wounded, leg, July 2nd. Charles H. 
Clements, wounded, July 2nd. Horace Dean, wounded. Charles R. Hamilton, wound- 
ed, arm and fa^-e. Henry H. Hartshorn, wounded July 3rd. Lorenzo W. Hoffses, 
wounded, legs. Benjamin O. Lear, wounded, arm, July 2nd. James Lenfest, wounded, 
leg, July 3rd. Charles A. Murch, wounded, leg. George F. Tufts, wounded, arm and leg. 

COMPANY E. 

Sergeant Enoch C. Dow, killed. Corporal Nahum Downs, wounded, leg; died July 
18th. Charles E. Harriman, mortally wounded, died July 10th. William H. Low, 
killed. Ruel Nickerson, mortally wounded, died July 18th. 

First Sergeant James H. Pierce, wounded, side. Corporal Collins McCarty Jr. 
wounded, arm; amputated. Corporal Frank A. Patterson, wounded, leg. John R. 
Atwood, wounded, leg. William J. Colson, wounded, leg. Joseph G. Cookson, wounded, 
hand. Leonard Dearborn, wounded, hand. John F. Keene, wounded, arm. James S. 
Moore, wounded. Fred A. Nickerson, wounded, hand. John E. Nickerson, wounded, 
leg. Edward B. Sheldon, wounded, arm; amputated. Fred L. Waterhouse, wounded, 
leg. 

COMPANY F. 

First Sergeant Thomas P. Rideout, mortally wounded, July 3rd; died July 18th. 
William H. Shorey, mortally wounded, July 2nd; died July 4th. 

Captain Isaac W. Starbird, wounded, July 3rd. First Lieutenant Charles E. Nash, 
wounded, leg, July 3rd. Second Lieutenant Edwin H. Rich, wounded, arm, July 3rd. 
Lauriston Chamberlain (musician), wounded, back. Edwin L. Dunnell, wounded. Al- 
fred Grover, wounded, thigh. Calvin B. Keen, wounded. William S. Small, wounded, 
arm. John D. Smith, flesh wound, leg, July 3rd. Joseph A. Tobey, wounded, face. 
George O. White, wounded, shoulder. 

COMPANY G. 

Sergeant Albert N. Williams, mortally wounded; died July 3rd. Corporal George 
L. Perkins, killed July 2nd. Corporal George W. Andrews, wounded and missing, 
July 2nd, supposed to have died. Charles J. Carroll, wounded July 3rd, died July 7th. 
Elias Tyler, wounded July 2nd, died July 14th. 

Second Lieutenant Henry Sewall, wounded, face. Sergeant Edward H. Hicks, 
wounded, arm and groin. Corporal Stenhen P. McKenney, wounded, hands. George A. 
Hussey, wounded, hip. William H. Jackman, wounded, side. Amos Jones, wounded, 
arm. Hampton W. Leighton, wounded, arm. Isaac Moody, wounded. Winthrop 
Murray, wounded, head. William B. Small, wounded, shoulder. Orrin P. Smart, 
wounded, breast. 

COMPANY H. 

First Sergeant John F. Stackpole, killed. Sergeant Jesse A. Dorman, mortally 
wounded, died July 6th. Sergeant George E. Webber, mortally wounded, died July 
7th. Corporal Hollis F. Arnold, killed. Corporal Samuel C. Brookings, killed. Cor- 
poral George H. Willey, killed. John H. Estes, wounded leg; missing, supposed to have 
died. William Taylor, killed. James Wyman, killed. 

Captain Willard Lincoln, wounded, head. First Lieutenant Albert Hunter, wound- 
ed, throat, July 2nd. Sergeant Charles P. Garland, wounded, leg. Sergeant James T. 
Waldron, wounded, thigh. Corporal Francis P. Furber, wounded, mouth. Daniel B. 
Abbott, wounded, side and arm. Rinaldo A. Carr, wounded, thigh. Joseph Coro, 
wounded, arm and side. Martin V. B. Dodge, wounded, arm and side. Redford M. 
Estes, wounded, leg. William F. Gerald, wounded, thigh. Drew Goodridge, wounded, 
leg. Charles L. Hamlen, wounded, leg. Josephus James, wounded, right leg; amputated. 
William Leonard, wounded, leg. Charles H. Libby, wounded, leg. Reuben D. Martin, 
wounded, hip. Luke T. Richardson, wounded, side. Augustus Washburn, wounded, 
right arm ; amputated. George E. Wheeler, wounded, legs. William F. Wood, wounded, 
leg. Benjamin Young, wounded, neck. 

COMPANY I. 

Captain George D. Smith, mortally wounded, July 2nd; died at 1 a. m. July 3rd. 
Sergeant William E. Barrows, killed. Sergeant Chandler F. Perry, killed. Corporal 



88 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Orrin T. Conway, mortally wounded, Icr; died Sept. 1st, at Baltimore. John F. Carey, 
killed. Francis W. Rhoades, killed. George S. Turner, mortally wounded; died July 
19th. Joseph W. Wilson, killed. 

Corporal George W. Barter, wounded. Corporal George E. Holmes, wounded, 
head. Corporal Daniel G. Larr.b, wounded. Corporal Rufus Shibhles Jr. wounded, 
hand. Corporal John Vinal, wounded, hand. Gorha^i L. Black, wounded. Hiram 
Clapp, wounded. Luther Clark, wounded. Adrian C. Dodge, wounded, cheek. Alden 
W. Dyer, wounded, shoulder. Edwin S. Jacobs, wounded, head. Thomas Little, 
wounded, leg. Joseph G. Maddox, wounded, ann. James P. Mills, wounded, leg. 
Joseph H. Norton, wounded. Amos B. Oxton, wounded, hand. 

COMPANY K. 

Sergeant William Boyton Jr. killed. Sergeant George L. Grant, wounded July 3rd; 
died November 5th. George P. Fogler, killed. Nelson Francis, kille.d. James T. 
Heal, mortally wounded; died July 8th. James H. Lewis, killed. Charles M. Lowe, 
killed. Charles E. McAvoy, killed. Oliver P. Nichols, killed. Loring C. Oliver, 
mortally wounded; died July 20th. Samuel B. Shea, mortally wounded; died July 20th, 
Henry N. Williams, mortally wounded, died July 18th. 

Second Lieutenant Samuel E. Bucknani, wounded, leg. Corporal Warren Proctor, 
wounded, groin. Corporal Weld Sargent, wounded, arm. Corporal Stephen P. Trafton. 
wounded, leg. Richard M. Blaisdell, wounded, leg. Edwin Blake, wounded, hand. 
Ezekiel L. Dunton. wounded, leg. Alvah JeUison, wounded, thigh. George A. Kimball, 
wounded, foot. David C. Lombard, wounded, arm, amputated. Calvin E. Marr, 
wounded, foot, William McKenney. wounded, breast. Isaac W. Mitchell, wounded, 
hand. Jesse Mitchell, wounded, shoulder. Simmons A. Mitchell, wounded, back. 
Addison Sawyer, wounded, hand, Thomas E. Scott, wounded, leg; amputated. Gil- 
man N. Varell, wounded, legs. Lorenzo Webster, wounded. 



RECAPITULATION 

Killed and mortally wounded. 67 

Wounded, not fatally 149 

Total loss 2 1 6 

It was not believed that all the members of the Regiment 
who were wounded during the battle would recover from their 
wounds. Among these were Captain George D. Smith, who 
was wounded on the afternoon of July 2nd. He lingered until 
one o'clock the next morning, when he died. In the same class 
with Captain Smith were Corporal Christopher Erskine, Com- 
pany C, Corporal Jesse A. Wilson, Corporal Alfred B. Waterman 
and Private Roswell Haire, Company D; Private William H. 
Shorey, Company F, and Sergeant Jesse A. Dorman, Company 
H. Reports brought back from the hospital indicated that 
these men would probably die as a result of their wounds. It 
was believed, however, that the following named boys stood 
some chance for recovery: Corporals Payson T. Heald and 
Abner Baker, Company A; Privates Frank Coffin and Job P. 
Flagg, Company B; Privates Frederick S. Call, Abijah Crosby 
and George E. Hodgdon, Company C; Lieutenant Leroy S. Scott, 




From"MAINE AT GETTYSBURG 




Regimental Monument, Gettysburc 



THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN 89 

Corporal Robert T. Newell and Privates John Merriam and 
Hushai C. Thomas, Company D; Corporal Nahum Downs and 
Privates Charles E. Harriman and Ruel Nickerson, of Company 
E; First Sergeant Thomas T. Rideout, Company F; Privates 
Charles J. Carroll and Elias Tyler, Company G; Sergeant 
George E. Webber, Company H; Corporal Orrin T. Conway, 
and Private George S. Turner, Company I; and Sergeant 
George L. Grant and Privates Loring C. Oliver, Henry N. 
Williams and Samuel B. Shea, Company K. But all these 
men died sometime after the battle and their deaths were 
caused by wounds received in battle. It was supposed that 
Eli Noyes, of Company B, Corporal George W. Andrews, 
Company G, and John H. Estes, Company H, were killed in the 
charge with the Regiment made in the late afternoon of July 
2nd, as they were never seen by the members of the Regi- 
ment after that time. 

Of the boys who were wounded at Gettysburg and after 
recovery returned to the Regiment, many of them were wounded 
again, some were taken prisoners and still others killed or 
mortally wounded in battle. William B. Murphy, Company A, 
was killed in the Wilderness. Orson E. Crummett, Company 
B, was mortally wounded at Spottsylvania. George F. Tufts, 
Company D, was killed in the Wilderness. William J. Colson 
and Fred A. Nickerson, Company E, were killed at Spottsyl- 
vania, and John E. Nickerson, of the same company, was killed 
in the Wilderness. Martin V. B. Dodge and Luke T. Richard- 
son, Company H, were killed at Spottsylvania, and William F. 
Wood, also of Company H, was killed in the Wilderness. Cor- 
poral George E. Holmes, of Company I, and Weld Sargeant, 
Company K, were both mortally wounded at Spottsylvania. 

The Second Corps collected upon the battlefield of Gettys- 
burg 6,000 stand of small arms. Notwithstanding the fierceness 
of the battle and the ferocity of the Confederate charges, the 
Second Army Corps never lost a gun. 

Early on the morning of July 4th, General Lee proposed 
to General Meade, through a flag of truce, an exchange of pris- 
oners captured by the two armies. General Meade promptly 
replied that it was not in his power to accede to Lee's proposal. 



lissing 


Total 




Loss 


5,4.35 


22,990 


5,150 


20,448 



90 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

TOTAL CASUALTIES OF THE BATTLE 

Killed and 
wounded 
Union 17,555 

Confederates.. (as reported) 15,298 

The Confederate reports are known to have been grossly 
inaccurate in many particulars. There were 12,227 wounded 
and unwounded Confederates captured, according to the list 
on file in the office of the Adjutant-General in Washington, 
where the names of prisoners and the organization to which 
they belonged, are recorded. That record should be relied 
upon rather than the imperfect estimates made by the Con- 
federate officers. The Confederate loss must have been about 
30,000. 

Sergeant Samuel Smith, of Company F, in describing the 
wounding of the Orderly Sergeant of that Company, writes: 

"No better soldier nor one more highly esteemed by his comrades 
ever lived in the State of Maine than First Sergeant Thomas T. Ride- 
out, of Company F. While we were making the flank movement to 
the right at the time of Pickett's charge, he fell by my side. When 
he fell, I stopped and asked him where he was hit. His reply was 
'I am hit in the back.' He was lying in a very exposed position and 
I laid down my gun and took hold of his shoulders and dragged him 
about one rod and behind a large boulder, which would shield him 
somewhat from further danger from bullets which were singing about 
there pretty lively at the time. I then picked up my own gun and 
rejoined the Company. Sergeant Rideout was taken later to the 
field hospital, where I visited him after the battle. There I found him 
shot through the lungs, the bullet lodging in his shoulder, where he 
first felt it and thought he was hit in the back. He was cheerful at the 
time and fully expected to recover and live to go home. When I saw 
the Surgeon in charge of the hospital, he informed me that Rideout 
could not live. I afterward learned that he died about fifteen days 
after he was wounded." 

When General Hancock was wounded in the afternoon of 
July 3rd, he immediately sent for the gallant General Caldwell 
and turned over to that officer the command of the Second 
Corps. General Gibbon had been wounded and General Cald- 
well was then the ranking officer in the Corps. He had done 
great work in the Wheat Field on the day before, to minimize 
the evil effects of Sickles' false line out on the Emmitsburg 
road. Two of his Brigade commanders, Zook and Cross, had 
been killed, and the awful record of the losses in his Division 



THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN qI 

show how well Caldweirs men did their work. But alas he 
had not been educated at West Point! With "irascibility and 
pigheadedness" so characteristic of him, Meade would not per- 
mit General Caldwell to assume honors so richly deserved 
He appointed General William Hays to command the Corps 
and Hays retamed the command a little over a month when 
he was succeeded by General Warren. Hays had never com- 
manded more than a brigade, and that was at Chancellorsville. 
He had generally been connected with the artillery branch of 
the service. There was no reason, apparent to anybody 
e.xcept Meade's dislikes and prejudices, why Hays should have 
been thus honored. On one other occasion Meade had the 
opportunity of boosting Hays into prominence, when in Feb- 
ruary, '6^, Gibbon was promoted to the command of the 
Iwenty-fourth Army Corps. He then crowded Hays into the 
command of our Division for a couple of months. 

On July 4th there was occasionally skirmish firing and 
reconnoitering in different directions. The enemy had with- 
drawn from the right of our position and our boys were occupy- 
ing Gettysburg. An order was issued late in the day for a 
detail to be made from all of the regiments for the purpose of 
collecting the arms and burying the Confederate dead in the 
vicinity of our lines. All day during the 4th, information was 
frequently conveyed from the signal station to army head- 
quarters that the enemy were retiring. On the night of the 
4th, Hill's Corps started for Hagerstown, via Fairfield and 
Waynesborough, followed by Longstreet's Corps. Ewell's 
Corps did not take up its march until near noon on the 5th, 
although his troops were withdrawn several miles from their 
former Ime of battle. Ewell followed Longstreet and en- 
camped the night of the 5th about a mile west of Fairfield 
Late in the afternoon of the 4th, the Confederate wagon-trains 
and ambulances, filled with wounded, started south, going 
mostly by the Cashtown road, but some by the Fairfield route 
through the mountains, toward Hagerstown. Our cavalry 
struck one of these wagon-trains about half way between Fair- 
field and Waynesborough at a place called Monterey Pass de- 
stroying many wagons and capturing a number of prisoners' 



92 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

It was evident that General Meade did not intend to pur- 
sue very vigorously or attack the enemy if he could avoid it. 
On the 5th of July, Sedgwick had been ordered out on a recon- 
noissance and was vigorously following up the Confederate 
column. He shelled their rear guard and captured some prison- 
ers. Some time during the day of the 5th, General Meade, 
through General Butterfield, his Chief-of-Staif, sent an order 
to Sedgwick, containing the following language: "General 
Birney reports a column of infantry moving to his left and asks 
permission to fire upon it with artillery. This has been denied, 
he having gone out about two miles beyond the line of rifle 
pits occupied by the enemy yesterday. It is not the intention 
of the General to bring on an engagement, and therefore he 
does not understand your application for your ordnance train 
to be sent you. The orders for a reconoissance were with a 
view to ascertain the position and movement of the enemy, 
not for battle." Yet early in the morning of the 5th Meade had 
been informed by his signal officers that there were no indica- 
tions of the enemy anywhere, except a small force on the Cash- 
town road. It would seem as though a splendid opportunity 
was presented to the commander of the army to attack the 
enemy on July 4th and again on the morning of July 5th, when 
he would have found only Ewell to fight. It was such an 
opportunity as would have been improved by Sheridan or 
Hancock. 

New York sent about twenty regiments of its National 
Guards and Pennsylvania nearly forty regiments of emergency 
men and militia to aid the Army of the Potomac in repelling 
Lee's invasion. The most of these regiments went to Harris- 
burg and down on the west side of-the mountains. They had 
no more influence on the campaign than did Heintzelman's 
40,000 soldiers in and around the defenses of Washington. The 
reports of the officers of these emergency troops furnish enter- 
taining reading. There were Brigadier-Generals and Aids-de- 
camp, sufficient to supply the whole army. A requisition hav- 
ing been made on one of the regiments at Harrisburg for a 
detail of seventy-five men for chopping wood and constructing 
intrenchments, the Colonel refused to furnish the men, giving 



THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN 93 

as a reason that "they had been broken of their rest for two 
nights." The Colonel of a Pennsylvania organization informs 
his superior officer that because of illness he was compelled to 
stop at a house by the wayside, accompanied by his "servants." 
One officer reports the hardship of his regiment in being com- 
pelled, on a July night, to ride "in open cars exposed to the night 
air !" To cap the climax, the Colonel of the aristocratic Seventh 
New York State National Guards, complains that his men 
"had not changed their underclothing for a period of eleven 
days." Surely such hardships and sacrifices as these ought to 
be remembered by a grateful country! 

Early on the morning of July 5th, the Nineteenth Maine 
with other regiments began the work of collecting arms and 
accoutrements, scattered over the field and burying the Con- 
federate dead, on that part of the battlefield in our immediate 
front. Ditches were dug from fifteen to twenty feet long, six 
feet wide and from four to six feet deep. The hapless Con- 
federates were dragged to these ditches, into which they were 
piled one upon another, until the bodies nearly filled the ditches. 
Then they would be covered over with dirt, heaped up on top! 
Some of the bodies having lain upon the ground since the 2nd 
of the month, exposed to the hot rays of a July sun, were badly 
decomposed, and the stench from the battlefield was something 
fearful. The bodies of Union soldiers were buried in separ- 
ate graves and each grave marked with the name and organ- 
ization to which the soldier belodged. When that informa- 
tion could not be obtained, the grave was marked with that 
distressing word, "Unknown." Visitors from different cities 
were crowding in and wandering over different parts of the 
battlefield. About five o'clock in the afternoon our Regiment 
started and marched about six miles on the Baltimore turnpike 
and went into camp at a place called Two Taverns. Here we 
drew rations, washed up and rested over July 6th. On the 7th 
we marched to Taneytown, where we bivouacked that night. 
The march of July 8th, carried the Regiment through Woods- 
boro to within five miles of Frederick City, it rained all day 
and was an extremely hard march. The distance covered was 
about twenty miles. 



94 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

While on the march from Gettsyburg to Frederick, we 
received the news of the capture of Vicksburg. This was the 
occasion of much jubilation on the part of the boys of the Regi- 
ment. On July 9th the Regiment marched from the vicinity 
of Frederick to Rohrersville, a distance of some twenty miles. 
When we had reached a point a little west of Frederick, we saw 
on the north side of the road the body of a Confederate spy 
hanging to the limb of a tree. This man had been captured by 
some of our troops in advance of us with evidences of his guilt 
upon his person, and he was immediately strung up without 
much ceremony. It was a ghastly sight. On July loth we 
marched across Antietam creek north of Sharpsburg, some 
twelve or fourteen miles, to near Tilghmanton. Here we built 
a line of breastworks. On the iith of July we moved north a 
few miles and formed in line of Battle with the Fifth Corps on 
our right and the Twelfth on our left. We were now near 
Jones' cross-roads. Here the road from Williamsport crossed 
the Sharpsburg turnpike. This was a beautiful country. The 
Regiment stacked arms and rested at this place until about 
twelve o'clock at night. We were then ordered into line and 
marched north about three miles toward Hagerstown. No one 
seemed to know how far we were going. The column came to 
a halt without orders. The men began to drop in the road just 
where they stood and soon every man was asleep. The writer 
recalls awaking at early dawn and as far as he could see north 
and south the road was full of sleeping men. He went to a 
nearby farmhouse, procured a quart of milk and had a sump- 
tuous breakfast, consisting of hard bread and milk. Soon after 
sunrise the Regiment with the Corps marched back south a 
short distance and built a strong line of works. We remained 
here all this day and the next, expecting to be ordered forward 
to attack the enemy. On the night of the 13th General Lee 
managed to escape and recross the Potomac. Our Regiment 
with the Corps then marched across Marsh creek, which ran 
midway between the two lines of battle, across the Confederate 
works, now deserted, through Downsville and nearly to Falling 
Waters on the Potomac. The bulk of Lee's army crossed the 
river at Falling Waters and a small portion of their rear guard 



THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN 95 

was captured by our cavalry under Buford, Kilpatrick and 
Custer. General Merritt got up in time to take the advance 
before the enemy had entirely crossed and captured more 
prisoners. The enemy's bridge was protected by cannon well 
located on the Virginia side and sharpshooters along the south- 
ern bank of the Potomac. As our troops neared the bridge, 
the enemy cut the Maryland side loose, and the bridge swung to 
the Virginia side. This ended the Gettysburg campaign. 

On the next day the Regiment marched through Downs- 
ville and Sharpsburg, by the Antietam Iron Works and then 
took the towpath of the canal. This made fine marching the 
balance of the day. We covered twenty miles and bivouacked 
within two miles of Harper's Ferry. The next day we proceeded 
a short distance below Harper's Ferry to Sandy Hook on the 
Potomac and went into camp. The scenery on this day's 
march was grand. 

Sergeant Silas Adams makes the following comment on 
our failure to attack Lee's army after the battle of Gettsburg: — 

"It will be noticed that our army did not follow the Rebel army 
from Gettysburg. I do not know why, unless General Meade enter- 
tained fears of overtaking it. So we went around, taking a circuitous 
route and travelling nearly double the distance necessary to reach 
Falling Waters. We came to the vicinity of Antietam on the 10th of 
July. It was here for three days that the manoeuvres of the Potomac 
Army were inexplicable to a man untutored in military science. We 
formed line of battle ; we reconnoitred ; we built breastworks and 
covered them with shocks of wheat. We puzzled over the matter 
and inquired what we were waiting there for. At the end of three days 
we found out, when Lee's army was safely lodged on the south side of 
the Potomac. We had been playing and threatening fight until the 
Rebs got away. To say that the army was mad and disgusted is 
putting it very mildly. We felt that through incompetency on our 
side, Lee had been permitted to escape. Every man then knew that 
we must travel over the old ground again and that our great victory 
at Gettysburg was in a great measure lost. So far since the organiza- 
tion of the Amiy of the Potomac, incompetency had been one of 
the most conspicuous features in its management. The ten days im- 
mediately following Gettysburg did not vary the custom." 

Some think President Lincoln's summing up of the situ- 
ation and his conservative criticism of General Meade as fair as 
anything that has been said or written. His statement is con- 
tained in a letter prepared for but never sent to General Meade 



96 



THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 



upon the verv dav when the Confederate aimv made its escape 
into X'irginia. It is as follows: — 

■'I have just seen your dispatch to General Halleck asking to be 
relieved of your command because of a formal censure of mine. I am 
ver^-.ven,- grateful to you for the magnificent success you gave the cause 
of the country at Gettsburg: and I am sorn,- now to be the author of 
the slightest pain to you. But I was in sucii deep distress myself that 
I could not restrain some expression of it. I have been oppressed 
nearly ever since the battle at Gettysburg, by what appeared to be 
evidences that yourself and General Couch and General Smith were not 
seeking a collision with the enemy, but were tn,*ing to get him across 
the river without another battle. What these evidences were, if you 
please. I hope to tell you at some time when we shall both feel better. 
'"The case, summarily stated. is this: you fought and beat the enemy 
at Gettysburg, and. of course, to say the least, his loss was as great as 
yours. He retreated, and you did not. as it seemed to me. pressingly 
pursue him; but a tlood of the river detained him. till by slow degrees 
you were again upon him. You had at least twenty thousand veteran 
troops directly with you. and as many more raw ones within supporting 
distance, all in addition to those who fought with you at Gettysburg, 
while it was not possible that he had received a single recruit ; and yet 
you stood and let the flood nm down, bridges be built, and the enemy 
move away at his leisure without attacking him. And Couch and 
Smith — the latter left Carlisle in time, upon all ordinan.- calculations 
to have aided you in the last battle of Gettysburg, but he did not 
arrive. At the end of more than ten days. 1 believe twelve, under 
constant urging, he reached Hagerstown from Carlisle, which is not an 
inch over fifty-five miles, if so much, and Couch's movement was very 
little different. 

"Again, my dear General, I do not believe you appreciate the 
magnitude of the misfortune involved in Lee's escape. He was within 
your easy grasp, and to have closed upon him would, in connection 
with our other late successes, have ended the war. As it is. the war 
will be prolonged indefinitely. If you could not safely attack Lee last 
Monday, how can you possibly do so south of the river, when you can 
take with you ver\- few more than two-thirds of the force you then had 
in hand? It would be unreasonable to expect, and I do not expect 
(that"* }"OU can now effect much. Your golden opportunity is gone, and 
I am immeasurably distressed because of it. I beg you will not con- 
sider this as a prosecution or persecution of yourself. As you have 
learned that I was dissatisfied I thought it best "to kindly tell you w'.iy." 

The following letter from Captain Charles E. Nash was 
written from W'arrenton Junction, July 29th, 1863. 

"After participating in all the vicissitudes of the Bumside and 
Hooker campaigns, we took the 'back track' and proceeded toward 
the north star as far as Gettysburg, reaching this place just as the 
marauding Confederates were emerging from the mountains. * * 

"We knew a great battle was to take place here, and felt hope- 
fvd that \"ictorv- would be ours. The wh'>le army was present, and 
therefore co-operation (a lack of which has defeated us too many 
times) would take place. Xo jars, no mismanagement so perceptible 
to even ordinary digits in the preliminaries of former battles, could be 



THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN gy 

seen or felt. I will state, by the way, that men wearing "stars" on 
their shoulders, are not always celestial beings, and that there has been 
a time when a battle line could be formed out of very poor generals 
That quality, however is rapidly disppearing from the field, to be 
known m the future only as they display their gay and costly equip- 
ages on civic holiday occasions. ^ c^juip 

"The fight of Wednesday was not a general one. The main armv 
had not arnv-ed. Wednesday night the Second Corps bivouacked twS 
miles from the field -the others were near by. Thursday morning 
at daybreak all hands "fell in,'' after partaking of a short rati^ of 
hard bread and pork and moved slowly and solemnly to the border of 
the future battlefield. The Second is called a "fighting Corps "and 
has left on battlefields more men than its ranks now contain but all 
conscious of the terrible ordeal marked out for the day It moves 
firmly and resolutely. All was silence in the early morhincr save the 
confused tramping of feet, and the rumbling of long trains'of ambul- 
lances m the distance, as they uncoiled from their posts and moved 
along with the columm The thought that some of our number would 
occupy them, mangled and bleeding, before night, could not be re- 
pressed. The certainty was too apparent. And many of our number 
were never to behold another day. Who would it be, was the natural 
refiection. The summer morning, so peaceful and beautiful would 
soon be marred by the wild commotion of battle, and the little birds 
in the trees by the roadside, singing tiny melodies, would soon be 
frightened away, when streaming shells and shrieks of wounded and 
dying come borne through the air. At last we halt by the center of 
the line of battle. The fences and walls are torn down the b tt?r 
to facilitate the rapid movements of the troops when called for Soon 
the troops return to their stacks of arms, and rest a little, for their 
recent march of 200 miles does not leave them m a very nimble state 
Their faces are pale and haggard, their clothing is worn and covered 
with mud, but a quiet self possession and determination possessed 
every man. Across the narrow field, not a mile distant, stand the re- 
solute legions of Lee, flushed with their success on the previous day 
Every man be sure that his cartridges are all right' is passed through 
the ranks by the ofhcers, and all heed the ctution.^ Soon one of 
Howard s batteries begin to shell the Rebel lines, but receive no res- 
ponse. For a ong time nothing could be got out of them,— not even 
the monosyllable of a shot,-and doubts began to arise about thdr 
willingness to fight us at all. The men began to build little fires and 
make themselves coftee, officers were lounging in groups and an air nf 
security and indifference seemed to pervadi the^ hour.' Suddenly- 
boom boom boom —with shrieking shells, and their whistling, buz- 
zing fragments filled the air, as a Rebel battery opened on us Thick 
volumes ofsmoke indicate clearly their well chosen position 'Lie 
down, men is the command, which is very readily obeyed' The 
^ Ini. ^^'""^ ^^'? ^"^ fast,-some high in the air, some bounding 
a ong the ground, sonie far to the right,— some as far to the left,— and 
bursting, scattering their deadly fragments in every direction. 'LoSk 
soml T^n K° •''"'^ down dodged several thousand heads to escape 
!w% • b°""C'"§ along the ground, which some one has seen, and 
mfs.neh..T "' ^'^' precautionary exclamation. But the d^ad^y 
missile has no good message; forward it plows, through the ranks cut- 
ting several in twain, breaking limbs and mangltng many more 
Hundreds witness the sad sight, and soon the slightlV wounded h?bSe 
of Ihl 'J^l ^"^ the dead are removed tenderly to a short distance out 
oi tne way. Hospitals were here established, opposite each regiment, 



98 



THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 



by displaying a little scarlet flag. The surgeons with their implements 
are in readiness. The men are ready to seize their arms and jump 
into line in an instant. The horses have been sent to the rear. Sharp 
volleys of musketry resound on both sides. The Third and First 
Corps are on our left and right, respectively, and in the course of an 
hour the musketry and artillery are hard at it. The long, unceasing 
rattle of musketry, like the treble of a musical instrument, seems to 
be supported by the hoarse heavy bass of artillery. 'Twas thus for 
upwards of two hours, at which time Gen. Hancock rode along the line, 
wearing a troubled face. We had been silent spectators all day. The 
Second Corps, but few in number, had been held as reserve, but had 
suffered considerable from shells and shot. Gen. Hancock had ex- 
clusive charge of the First, Second and Third Corps, Gen. Meade having 
bestowed that honor and responsibility upon him. 'Into line. Col. 
Into line!' was the command of Col. Ward, our Brigade commander, 
and in an instant the Brigade was on its feet, ready to do or die. 
The Nineteenth Maine was placed beside a battery, to support it, and 
to hold its portion of the line, as the Third Corps had been driven back 
across the field, and was retiring in haste. The enemy was com- 
pletely frantic with victory, and advanced impetuously. 'Commence 
firing ' was the command, when they were seventy yards distant, 
and almost instantly a deadly sheet of fire was poured into them. 
Through the thick smoke we could dimly see them advancing, but 
slowly and hesitatingly, for in the space of five minutes their strong 
line had melted away, and there were only a few daring spirits left 
to encounter. Our fire had been deadly; every shot had apparently 
done its duty. And when, with bayonets fixed, the command 'For- 
ward,' was given, onward dashed all that was left of the Nineteenth, 
while cheer upon cheer rose far above the din of musketry and artillery. 
The enemy scampered in every direction, many throwing up their hands 
as a token of surrender, and others hiding behind rocks and bushes to 
escape the fury of the charge, and afterwards coming into our lines. 
Only a few ever reached their own lines. 

"The victory of the day was decisive. The First Brigade of the 
'Iron Division' was the first to see the backs of the enemy, and the 
Nineteenth was the first Regiment to occupy and gain full possession 
of the field. It assisted in the recapture of two pieces of artillery 
which the enemy were too panic-stricken to take away, besides send- 
ing many prisoners to the rear. But sad was the spectacle around us. 
The dead and dying covered the ground ; and the wild cries for help, the 
beseeching exclamations, the dismal groans, and broken prayers, 
mingled with the dying echoes of thunder in that ever memorable 
twilight. Presently it was dark, and we returned from the field, 
picking the way so as to avoid tramping upon the wounded and dead. 
The repulse of the enemy had been complete, but it was certain they 
would renew the contest in the morning. The wounded were removed 
as rapidly as possible. A few of the dead were buried, but chiefly pre- 
parations were being made for the morrow. Fresh supplies of ammunition 
were distributed to the batteries, and sixty rounds were furnished to 
each soldier. Dead horses and broken caissons were removed, and 
every preparation was made to receive an attack at daylight. Soon 
all was quiet, and the silence was broken only by the shrieks and cries, 
borne through the smoky atmosphere, and ever and anon a stray 
picket-shot. The weary men at last slept soundly, forgetful of the 
terrible scenes of the day, and the ungathered harvest of death strewn 
around them. Morning dawned upon a heart-sickening scene, as 
the first faint streaks slanted from the east. Generals accompanied 



THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN 99 

by their escorts could be seen riding along the line, perfecting the pro- 
gram for the day. The men awoke, refreshed from the few hours 
rest, fully conscious of another day's struggle with the marauding foe. 
Rations had given out, and they must fight on empty stomachs. 
Three or four companies of the Nineteenth were advanced as skirmish- 
ers, and mine was among the number. The men were deployed, and 
quietly, stealthily, the line advanced, in the face and eyes of Rebel 
sharpshooters, who forwarded their coinpliments without stint. The 
line was too small to deserve many shells, or it would have received 
them. Our position was in an open field, with no shelter in the front 
and none above to shield from the burning rays of the sun. The men 
lay flat on the ground, and presented as small a target as possible. In 
this position they remained ten hours, suffering severely from thirst and 
heat. If any poor wight happened to elevate his head, he was sure to 
receive attention. At times during the day, our boys, by way of 
diversion, would pop away in return, but the enemy was too well 
shielded to receive much harm. 

"Early in the afternoon, two pieces of Rebel artillery gave the 
signal. Almost instantly, shot and shell from two hundred pieces 
of artillery went screaming over our heads. Our own batteries im- 
mediately replied, and for two hours were hurled those masses of de- 
struction and death. All passed over our heads, as we were in a place 
of comparative security, and only the premature explosion of a shell 
from either side was the source of much danger, save now and then a 
ricochet shot from the enemy would plow along the ground, scattering 
the earth upon us. Only a few were hurt. By and by came relief. 
It requires less nerve to face the enemy man to man, in open field, than 
to lie down supinely while he hurls his missiles. There may be less 
danger in the latter process, but the testiinony of all gives preference 
to the former. The enemy was advancing, and I assure you it was a 
relief at that particular time, as ten hours prostration on the ground, 
side by side with hundreds of the enemy's dead, in the scorching sun, 
cannot be termed an agreeable situation, to say nothing about the 
suspense which accompanies a battle of long duration. The enemy 
advanced in solid column against the frail line of the Second Corps, 
which occupied the center of the whole line, and at a point near the 
Baltimore turnpike; a point which, if they could obtain, would insure 
them victory. On they came, heedless of the few skimiishers who 
stood before them, the only alternative of whom was to retire or be 
annihilated. Slowly and reluctantly they fell back, firing incessantly 
into the solid ranks of the Rebels, every shot taking effect. Soon 
they reached the main body and then commenced the fight in earnest. 
For five minutes the Second Corps discharged volley after volley, 
while grape and canister cut gaping swaths, mowing down the furious 
minions of treason, like grass before the scythe. A few of the most 
intrepid ones advanced to within a dozen yards of the fence behind 
which we stood, but instantly they shriek and fall, pierced by number- 
less balls. Others still advance, and meet a like fate. In a few mom- 
ments they are overpowered, and, eager still for life, endeavor to gain 
a respite from the fate of their comrades by the nimble use of their 
legs. A few well directed volleys bring them to a realizing sense that 
their game will not pay, and therefore they stop and lie down. On- 
ward dashes some little battalion and brings them in prisoners. Thus 
ends the battle, and the firing nearly ceased. The victory is complete, 
but not without terrible gaps in our own ranks. The Nineteenth lost 
206 in killed and wounded, — one half of its whole number on the morn- 
ing of the previous daj''; and the loss in the Brigade and throughout the 



100 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Corps was in about the same proportion. The Corps had twice hurled 
back the heavy columns of Lee, and its commander, Hancock, was 
severely wounded. 

"It was now late in the afternoon. The wounded were being 
cared for, and our dead being buried. Night again fell, and on a 
more ghastly field than ever before on this continent. Weary and 
jaded the men again sought rest, little fearing another attack. The 
morning broke. Not a Confederate could be seen. The Fifth and 
Sixth Corps advanced to reconnoitre, and were welcomed by half 
a dozan guns, which were then hastily spiked. 'The enemy has 
retired,' was the theme of the conversation everywhere. Satisfaction 
and cheerfulness abounded. A heavy force soon started in pursuit, 
but the Second Corps was to remain for a while to bury the dead. A 
detail was soon made from each regiment, with pickaxes and shovels 
to perform the last sad rites. Our own dead were buried in groups, 
the name and regiment of each placed at the head of the little mounds. 
Then they proceeded to the Rebel dead, — and I will say here, that by 
adding together the numbers buried by the several squads, the number 
reached upwards of 2,000 opposite the line of battle of the Second Corps. 
It was a mournful task. 

' ' I have written lengthilv — much more than I intended — but I am 
quite unable to express the hardships our brave volunteers have under- 
gone for the past forty days. Our ranks in the field are now weak and 
thinned. There is many an absentee at roll call. We need more men. 
God grant that we may have thein. Eleven months ago the Nineteenth 
Maine was one thousand strong. Today its ranks number 258. Some 
who were then with us are reposing on the banks of the Rappahannock ; 
other are asleep on the stained and ever memorable field at Gettys- 
burg. Only a few are left. 



BACK TO THE RAPPAHANNOCK lOI 



CHAPTER VI. 



BACK TO THE RAPPAHANNOCK, BRISTOE STATION, 
MINE RUN AND SECOND WINTER IN CAMP. 

The Regiment broke camp on the i8th of July, crossing 
the Potomac at Harper's Ferry. We then crossed the Shenan- 
doah river on a pontoon bridge, moved around to the head of 
Loudon Heights and started up the Loudon Valley, following 
closely in the route over which we marched October 30th, '62, 
after the battle of Antietam. On the next day, Sunday, July 
19th, the Regiment reached Snicker's Gap. The soldiers 
thought they had never seen blackberries so large and plentiful 
as were found at this time in this region of country. We were 
marching slowly, keeping near the Blue Ridge, and there was 
good opportunity for picking these berries. In its advance 
along the mountains, the cavalry was very active and had several 
encounters with the enemy. Our route took us through Bloom- 
field, Upperville and the vicinity of Ashby's Gap, and we 
reached Linden Station on the Manassas Gap railway on the 
23rd day of July. The Third Corps, under General French, took 
the advance through Manassas Gap, followed by the Fifth 
and our own Corps. The Regiment marched entirely through 
the Gap on the 23rd, reaching the vicinity of Front Royal, 
the march covering a distance of about eighteen miles. In 
some places the Gap was very wide and in others quite narrow. 
The country looked very pretty around Front Royal. The 
Third Corps had some fighting, which we escaped. On the 
24th we retraced our steps through the Gap and went into 
camp. An order was issued that we must subsist on half 
rations for a while. Inasmuch as few of us had any rations at 
all, the order did not materially affect our style of living. 

It appears that the head of Longstreet's Corps reached 
Millwood, opposite Ashby's Gap, July 20th, with the intention 



102 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

of pushing through the Gap. Our cavalry had possession of 
that. Then Longstreet pushed for Manassas and Chester Gap. 
He bridged the Shenandoah at Front Royal, as the river was 
not fordable. General Corse hurried a regiment into Manassas 
Gap and put the rest of his force into Chester Gap and managed 
to get possession of the latter a few minutes before our troops 
appeared in the opposite end of the Gap. Colonel Herbert, 
with the Seventeenth Virginia Regiment alone, kept our force 
a long time from penetrating Manassas Gap. Longstreet 
marched through Chester Gap and made his way leisurely to 
Culpepper Court House. The other Confederate corps crossed 
the mountains further south. 

Mosby's guerrillas were very active upon our flanks and 
rear. Any fainting soldier, dropping by the roadside, was sure 
to make the acquaintance of Mosby's men and quickly find his 
way into the Richmond prisons. A number of the men of 
the Nineteenth were in this luckless class. On the 25th we 
marched twenty miles to White Plains, going through Rector- 
town. We proceeded the next day to a place near Warrenton 
Junction. This was an exceedingly trying march of twenty 
miles. The day was very hot and men, overcome by the heat, 
died by the roadside. From Warrenton Junction the Regi- 
ment proceeded to Morrisville. We left the vicinity of Warren- 
ton at sunset July 30th and marched until nearly three o'clock 
the next morning, reaching the vicinity of Elk Run. On the 
last day of the month we proceeded to Morrisville a place 
where we were destined to remain for some time. The men 
of the Regiment had been compelled to subsist for weeks on 
very poor rations. The diet of pork and hard bread had been 
varied only at long intervals, when the men would forage upon 
the country through which they marched. 

General Halleck telegraphed General Meade on the 29th 
of July that he thought "it would be best to hold for the present 
the upper lines of the Rappahannock without further pursuit 
of Lee." The Regiment remained in the vicinity of Morrisville 
for about six weeks. In many respects this period was a pleas- 
ant experience for the Regiment. Once our encampment 
was changed for the purpose of procuring better water. What 



BACK TO THE RAPPAHANNOCK IO3 

the soldiers needed more than anything else was rest and good 
food. We received neither of these in abundance. It was very 
hot weather the most of the tim.e. On several occasions the 
thermometer registered 104 in the shade. As a rule, however, 
the nights were comfortable. During the first week's sojourn 
at Morrisville, Paymaster Hewey appeared in camp and the 
Regim.ent received two months' pay in full up to July 1st. 

The 6th day of August had been set apart by President 
Lincoln to be observed as a day of national thanksgiving. Its 
observance in our division was simply perfunctory. No effort 
was made by the officers to have the day kept in the spirit as 
President Lincoln desired that it should be. The m.en were 
truly thankful that they were alive. 

On the 2 1 St of August our Division turned cut to witness 
the execution of Jesse Mayberry, of the Seventy-first Pennsyl- 
vania, who was shot for desertion. Large picket details were 
necessary during our Morrisville stay. There were expeditions 
from the Corps in various directions to guard against the activ- 
ity of the Confederate cavalry. We received while here 108 
drafted men, recruits and substitutes. These men had to be 
drilled and watched. While there were some desertions among 
these recruits, it m.ay be said to their credit that some of the 
best soldiers of the Regiment v/ere men who came to us while 
at Morrisville. 

Toward the end of August, with the rest of the Second 
Cor :i the Regiment made an expedition to Banks' Ford above 
Falmouth. It was a good day's march and was said to be for 
the purpose of supporting our cavalry in the destruction of 
gunboats on the Rappahannock. We reached Morrisville on 
our return trip about tv/o o'clock in the morning, September 4th. 
On Saturday, September 12th, we left Morrisville at about ten 
o'clock in the morning and marched down past Bealeton Station 
to within about one male of the river and bivouacked near the 
railroad. This was not a long march, but it was one of the 
most distressing in the experience of the Regim.ent. It was a 
very hot, sultry day. In the forenoon tlie thern-iomieter rose to 
io5 degrees in the shade. Late in the afternoon the mien were 
drenched to the skin in a heavy thunder storm, which was grate- 



104 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

tully received. The men started in a rain storm the next morn- 
ing about seven o'clock and crossed the river at Rappahannock 
Station. A large force of cavalry was in advance of our Corps. 
The Nineteenth reached the neighborhood of Culpepper Court 
House in the afternoon and encamped a mile west of town. 
Cannonading was heard along the banks of the Rapidan to 
the south. Our cavalry had brisk work in driving the Confed- 
erates out of this peninsula between the Rapidan and the 
Rappahannock. It was ground that had been fought over 
many times. On the 17th of September, the Regiment ad- 
vanced, with the Second and Sixth Corps, to the Rapidan river. 
The Second Corps was extended along the Rapidan to picket 
the fords and its picket line was nearly ten m.iles long. The 
necessity for this activity on the part of the Army of the Poto- 
mac was to prevent General Lee from sending further reinforce- 
ments to the Confederate armies in the west. 

On the 24th of September, General Hooker was assigned 
to the command of the Eleventh and Twelfth Army Corps. 
These two army corps were later transferred to the Army of the 
Cumberland on the 3rd day of October. On Septem.ber 25th, 
when General Slocum learned that Hooker was to command 
these two corps, he wrote to President Lincoln tendering his 
resignation, and in his letter to the President, passed out this 
bouquet to Hooker: "My opinion of General Hooker, both 
as an officer and a gentlem.an, is too well known to make it nec- 
cessary for me to refer to it in this communication. The public 
service cannot be promoted by placing under his command an 
officer who has so little confidence in his ability as I have. Our 
relations are such that it would be degrading to me to accept 
any position under him." The Eleventh and Twelfth Corps 
now passed permanently out of the Army of the Potomac. 

On the first day of October, a man of the Fifteenth Massa- 
chusetts, found guilty of desertion, v/as drummed out of the 
service in the presence of our Brigade. This Regiment so inti- 
mately associated with our own, had only one man shot for 
desertion during its service, and this man was John Roberts, of 
Company H, of that Regiment. The Brigade was called cut to 



BACK TO THE RAPPAHANNOCK IO5 

witness his execution on October 30th. Roberts was a substi- 
tute and had been absent from his regiment only three days. 

BRISTOE STATION 

On the 5th of October, the Second Corps was relieved by the 
Sixth and withdrawn from its position along the Rapidan to 
Culpepper, where it remained until the loth. On this last 
named day, the right of our Army near James City which was 
held by Kilpatrick's cavalry supported by a part of the Third 
Corps was suddenly attacked by Stuart's cavalry and driven in 
toward Culpepper. This assault, together with intercepted 
communications by signal from Clark's mountain, furnished 
evidence to General Meade that his right flank was already 
turned. During the night our trains were sent across the 
Rappahannock, details were made to keep up the fires until 
midnight in order to deceive the enemy, and the Second and 
Fifth Corps quietly and hastily began their retrograde movement. 
By daylight on October i ith our whole force was north of the 
river and the bridge at Rappahannock Station was blown up. 
General Meade having gathered all the misinformation he could 
from our cavalry and on advice given by Generals Pleasanton 
and Sykes concluded that instead of the Confederate army 
having flanked him, it was advancing from the south and then 
occupied Culpepper Court House. We started back toward 
Culpepper at one o'clock in the afternoon of the 12th, preceded 
by the Fifth and Sixth Army Corps. Our three corps were 
preceded by General Buford's Cavalry Division. The Corps 
advanced nearly to Brandy Station. 

About eleven o'clock at night on the 12th, we began our 
movement north again, recrossed the river and proceeded by 
way of Bealeton to Fayetteville, where we arrived about one 
o'clock on the 13th. We had stopped the night before only long 
enough to prepare food, so that since that time we had march- 
ed about thirty-six miles practically without rest or sleep. 
General Warren had been ordered to follow the Third Corps and 
act as rear guard to the whole army. The boys got about one 
hour's sleep at Fayetteville while lying in line of battle. The 
Third Corps kept us waiting considerable time and we then pro- 



I06 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

ceeded to what was called Three-mile Station on the Warrenton 
branch railroad. After waiting here for some time for the Third 
Corps to get out of the way, we proceeded along the flank of that 
Corps to the Vicinity of Auburn on Cedar Run. It was just after 
dark, and the only available crossing place was occupied by the 
Third Corps. When that Corps was not wanted, it was in the 
way; and when they were wanted, there were merrily skipping 
out toward Manassas, making good time. While we were 
tarrying here, we had a good opportunity to prepare something 
to eat. The Regiment was routed out on the morning of Octo- 
ber 14th between three and four o'clock and started to cross 
Cedar Run at the village of Auburn. This was not the" Auburn ' 
sung of by the poet. It consisted of one shabby residence and a 
blacksmith shop. In order to cross Cedar Run, we had to 
march directly toward the enemy for a couple of miles. The 
fact is the enemy were on our flank trying to fmd a suitable place 
to attack. While General Caldwell's Division was crossing 
Cedar Run, Gregg's Cavalry Division which had been on the 
left flank and rear of the Second Corps, was driven in by the en- 
emy advancing from the direction of Warrenton. Carroll's Bri- 
gade, always ready for any dangerous duty, responded to 
Gregg's appeal for infantry support. The Confederates threaten- 
ing us now were Rodes' Division of Ewell's Corps. Caldwell's 
Division having crossed the Run, Hays' Third Division took 
the advance on the road. Caldwell was occupying the side of a 
hill which lay between the road to Greenwich and Catlett's 
Station, having with him the batteries of Ricketts, Arnold and 
Ames. While Caldwell's men were stopping here they im- 
mediately proceeded to make coffee and while so engaged, there 
came out of the pine woods ahead of us, and on the very road we 
were expecting to use, a succession of flashes, followed by shells 
which exploded in the midst of Caldwell's men. Ten or a dozen 
men in Caldwell's Division were killed by this fire. One shell 
killed seven men. The commander of the Third Division was 
Alexander Hays. The shells intended for Caldwell's Division 
passed over the head of Hays and his boys. Rickett's Penn- 
sylvania Battery came into position and answered the hostile 
guns. Quicker than it takes to write it. General Hays, always 



BACK TO THE RAPPAHANNOCK IO7 

ready for an emergency, formed his skirmish Hne which he sup- 
ported with infantry, and started to fmd out who was thus 
impudently blocking our way. In a very short time he not only 
found out but opened the road for us. 

It appears that General Stuart with two brigades of cavalry 
and seven pieces of artillery had been inadvertently caught the 
previous night between the columns of our army. Finding 
himself thus caught and unable to extricate himself, he hid 
away his force in the dense pine woods on the road from Auburn 
to Catlett's. He dared not undertake to push his way out at 
night, because he did not know what he might encounter, or 
which way to turn. He thus waited until daylight and then 
hoped that when he opened on the Second Corps that the Con- 
federate infantry would advance from the opposite direction 
• and that thus they might annihilate whatever troops were be- 
tween them. When Stuart opened, however, some of his shells 
passed completely over our lines and into the faces of the 
advancing Confederates. They failed to make connection. 
When he started to move away, the Confederate infantry at- 
tacked, with considerable force, Brooke's Brigade of the First 
Division, which was left to stand off the Confederates until we 
could get out of the way. The force attacking Colonel Brooke 
consisted of a heavy line of skirmishers followed by two lines 
of battle. 

Now that the road was clear, General Webb with our 
Division took the advance and Caldwell's men held the rear, 
and we all started out for Catlett's Station. The men did not 
require to be urged to take the quick step. We all realized now 
that this was a race in which large issues were involved. No 
complaints were heard. Our brigade led in the march and our 
Regiment was near the head of the column. 

When two or three miles from Auburn, General Caldwell 
selected a storng position, planted his artillery in places of ad- 
vantage and waited to give the enemy a dose of their own medi- 
cine. This was done in order to get our Corps trains beyond 
Catlett's Station and out of the way. Then General Caldwell 
was ordered to let go and follow the other two divisions. 



108 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

The men were loaded down with four or five days' rations 
and sixty rounds of ammunition. The column was put in 
motion from Catlett's Station toward Bristoe. The distance 
between these two places is about seven miles. The experience 
of the day had made the men willing to march expeditiously. 
With a swinging stride, the tired soldiers were measuring off 
the distance to Bristoe. When about half way there, directly 
in our front a furious cannonading breaks out ahead of us, up 
the railroad track. The woods in our front concealed the view, 
and generals and staff officers galloped to the front. Soon orders 
came for the troops to hurry forward. Our Division then crossed 
the railroad to the south side and then we all took a brisk trot 
toward the firing in front. The First Minnesota was marching 
on the left as flankers. We soon came out into a clearing and 
Bristoe Station is in plain sight. A Confederate battery on the 
left is taking position and a few minutes afterward the Confed- 
erate infantry is seen moving out of the woods and forming upon 
a hill near Broad Run, facing the railroad. They are the Confed- 
erate Brigades of Cooke and Kirkland of Heth's Division, Hill's 
Corps. The flankers have already opened fire upon the Confed- 
erate skirmishers. Brown's Battery B was at the head of the 
column, ready for trouble. This battery dashes across the 
plain, fords Broad Run and gets into action on the other side. 
Only two Brigades of our Division are present. The Pennsyl- 
vania Brigade was absent guarding the wagon trains. The 
Fifteenth Massachusetts led the Brigade; then came the Eighty- 
second New York, followed by the Nineteenth Maine. We went 
upon the field of battle on the run. When the Brigade drew 
near Broad Run, they were ordered to advance by the left flank 
toward the enemy and the railroad. The Eighty-second New 
York was then hastily drawn from the line and hurried across 
Broad Run and then immediately back again. The Minnesota 
men fought as flankers. Upon the withdrawal of the Eighty- 
second New York, our Regiment extended its line toward the 
right so as to connect with the Fifteenth Massachusetts. The 
Third Brigade, under Colonel Mallon, of the Tammany Regi- 
ment, joined us on the left. Colonel Mallon was killed in the en- 
gagement. The Forty-second New York was the next regiment 



BACK TO THE RAPPAHANNOCK IO9 

on our left. Our Regiment was under command of Lieutenant- 
Colonel Cunningham, Colonel Heath being in command of the 
Brigade. Rickett's Pennsylvania Battery went into position 
on a small hill immediately in our rear and poured rapid fire 
over our heads. The Brigades of Cooke and Kirkland came 
charging down the sides of the hill, their flanks supported by 
Davis' and Walker's Brigades of the same Division. As soon as 
the Confederate line got within thirty yards of the railroad, our 
Brigade on the right opened fire. Gallon's Brigade swings 
into line behind the railroad a few minutes later and its regiments 
continued the firing line to the left. Owen's Brigade of the 
Third Division, consisting of New York troops, came next in 
line; then the brigade of that splendid soldier, Colonel Thomas 
A. Smyth. Our men continued firing until the front was clear 
of the enemy. In two places a few of the more adventuresome 
Confederates leaped upon the railroad track, only to be shot 
down and captured. Sergeant Small, of the Nineteenth, shot 
one Confederate at muskets' length and ran another through 
with his bayonet. 

The regimental flag of the Twenty-seventh North Carolina 
was captured in front of our line by Moses C. Hanscom of Com- 
pany F, who was subsequently awarded a medal of honor. One 
poor Confederate evidently desiring to surrender, jumped upon 
the railroad track without his rifle and in the excitement of the 
moment he was shot dead by one of the men of the Regiment. 
The railroad embankment was about high enough to afford good 
breastworks. A large number of prisoners was taken by the 
Brigade, in which the Nineteenth participated. 

The result of the battle of Bristoe Station was the killing 
and wounding of 900 Confederate officers and men and the cap- 
ture of 500 prisoners, two colors and five guns. In this battle 
the Confederate Generals Cooke, Kirkland and Posey were 
wounded, and the latter soon died as a result of his wounds. 
Our own loss in killed, wounded and missing was about 500. 
Over 150 of this number were reported as missing, having given 
out on the retreat from Culpepper, except about seventy belong- 
ing to Brooke's Brigade, who were captured while that officer 
was skirmishing with Ewell, earlier in the day. 



TIO THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

In General Hill's report of this engagement, he stated that 
he was convinced that he "made the attack too hastily." The 
Confederate Secretary of War endorsed upon Hill's report that, 
— ^"The disaster at Bristoe Station seems due to a gallant but 
over hasty pressing of the enemy." 

Colonel John S. Mosby reports Hill's loss as 1378, and adds, 
"When Hill and Ewell arrived near Bristoe, the Third Corps 
(French) had just crossed Broad Run on the retreat to Center- 
ville. Hill ordered Heth to cross and attack it ; the Third Corps 
went on; the Second, under Warren, was intercepted. It had 
not reached the stream and was marching in column on the rail- 
road. Warren immediately formed a front to his flank behind 
a railroad embankment and a deep cut. Heth overlooked it; 
this was the cause of the failure of the Bristoe campaign. With 
ordinary skill, the Second Corps should have been destroyed."! 

The engagement was over at four o'clock. The time be- 
tween that and dark was an anxious hour for General Warren 
and his Division commanders. Colonel Heath in writing of this 
engagement after the war, stated that, "About five p. m. we 
began to hear reports of the approach of Ewell on our left. I 
think I never knew daylight to last as long as it did that same 
afternoon, and I never wished for darkness half as much as I 
did then." 

General Warren in his report of this battle adds: — ^"I con- 
clude my report with the expression of my feelings, almost of 
gratitude, toward the Second Army Corps, and especially to the 
commanders of divisions and brigades and the staff officers at 
these headquarters. Temporarily commanding the Corps dur- 
ing the absence of Major-General Hancock, its permanent com- 
mander, absent by reason of wounds received at Gettysburg, I 
find each department so well filled that I would not wish to 
change it." 

When darkness closed down upon the field, a sigh of relief 
went up from the men. Word was passed along in whispers that 
every man was to keep his hand on his tin cup and canteen 
that no noise might be made. The camp fires of the Confeder- 

1 Stuart's Cavalry in the Getteysburg Campaign, by John S. 
Mosby. page 166. 



BACK TO THE RAPPAHANNOCK III 

ates appeared along the whole line and the voices of their men 
around the fires could be plainly heard. In silence, the Second 
Corps passed along the enemy's front, forded Broad Run and 
never stopped their march until they threw their weary bodies 
on the ground near Blackburn's Ford on the Banks of Bull Run 
about four o'clock in the morning of October 15th, Of the 
sixty-nine hours that had elapsed since the Regiment left 
Bealeton on the morning of the 12th, the boys had been in 
column on the road, in line of battle or fighting with the 
enemy more than sixty hours. 

The recruits of the Regiment stood their ground like veter- 
ans. Of the twenty casualities in the Regiment, seventeen 
were recruits. The following is the list of the casualities of the 
Regiment at Bristoe Station: 

BRISTOE STATION 
Company A. 
John G. Curtis, wounded. 

Company B. 
Franklin A. Wood, killed; Corporal William H. H. Small, wounded; 
Israel H. Cross, wounded; Henry A. Dore, prisoner; died at Annapolis, 
Nov. 25th. '63. 

Company C. 
Sullivan M. Welch, missing; never heard from; reported deserter. 

Company p. 
Ezekiel R. Thomas, wounded. 

Company F. 
Corporal Walter Jerald, wounded; William Strange, wounded. 

Company G. 
James Hammond, prisoner; died Sept. 10th, '64, at Andersonville . 
Daniel Mahoney, prisoner. 

Company H. 
Frank Brown, wounded; Jason Bumpus, wounded; Charles W. 
Judkins, wounded; Frederick Smith, prisoner; George Tucker, wounded ; 
George White, wounded. 

Company I. 
Joseph Baker, missing; Philo F. Washburn, missing; supposed to 
have been captured just before the battle. 

Company K . 
Henry F. Roberts, prisoner; died at Andersonville, July 24th, '64. 

While we were lying at Bull Run, the 152nd New York 
Regiment, Colonel George W. Thompson, joined our Brigade, 
coming from New York Harbor, having been in the command 
of General Dix in the Seventh Army Corps. 



112 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

The inquiry is naturally made as to why the Second Corps 
was left in its isolated position to be fallen upon by the whole 
Confederate army. General Sykes, the commander of the 
Fifth Corps, was instructed by General Meade not to leave the 
neighborhood of Bristoe Station until the head of the Second 
Corps appeared. His only excuse for leaving was that he 
"thought" he saw the head of Warren's Corps coming from the 
direction of Catletts. Such blunders were placed to the account 
of profit and loss and the officers making them were never even 
reprimanded. For this inexcusable blunder Sykes ought to 
have been dismissed from the service. It was little short of 
miraculous that the Second Corps was not destroyed on this 
day. It was confronted by the whole Confederate army; al- 
though, fortunately, only one division of it was engaged. It 
was only the quick comprehension of the situation and the 
rapidity of movement on the part of General Warren that 
saved us at Bristoe Station. 

The following is General Meade's order announcing the 
battle of Bristoe Station. 

"Headquarters, Army of Potomac, 

October 15, '63. 
General Order No. 76. 

The Major-General commanding announces to the army that 
the rear guard, consisting of the Second Corps, was attacked yesterday 
while marching by the flank. The enemy, after a spirited contest, 
was repulsed, losing a battery of five guns, two colors and 450 prisoners. 
The skill and promptitude of Major-General Warren and the gallantry 
and daring of the soldiers and officers of the Second Corps are entitled 
to high commendation. 

S. Williams, By command of 

Assistant Adjutant-General. Major-General Meade." 

Sometime previous to the battle of Bristoe Station, General 
Halleck notified General Meade that he had recommended 
the dismissal of some of the useless Major-Generals connected 
with our army, but that the President had not acted upon his 
recommendation. This was one of the wise recommendations 
of General Halleck. 

Subsequent to the battle of Bristoe Station and on October 
i8th, Halleck, in telegraphing to Meade, says, "General Lee 



BACK TO THE RAPPAHANNOCK II3 

is unquestionably bullying you. If you cannot ascertain his 
movements, I certainly cannot. If you pursue and fight him, I 
think you will fmd out where he is. I know of no other way." 
General Meade appears at his best when he makes the following 
caustic reply : " Your telegram of 7:00 p. m. just received. If 
you have any orders to give me I am prepared to receive and 
obey them; but I must insist on being spared the infliction of 
such truisms in the guise of opinions as you have recently hon- 
ored me with, particularly as they were not asked for." This 
rather cleared the atmosphere. 

The Regiment remained at Bull Run from the 15th to the 
19th of October. We formed a line of battle once or twice and 
there was cannonading in the neighborhood. The Regiment 
started out early in the morning of the 19th of October and 
passed by Manassas Junction and marched to within a short 
distance of Bristoe Station. The next day we crossed Broad 
Run and marched through Greenwich to a point near Auburn 
and near to the encampment of October 13th. After remaining 
here a few days the Regiment moved several miles and went into 
camp on the Warrenton branch railroad. Many of the boys 
unwisely concluded that we would remain here for some time, 
and began building winter quarters. The fact was, however, 
that in the advance of Lee's army, he had torn up the railroad 
as far as Manassas Junction and we were waiting to have it re- 
built as far as the Rappahannock. This work was necessary in 
bringing supplies. Having been completed, the entire army 
took up its march on November 7th toward the Rappahannock. 
The army proceeded in two columns, the left composed of the 
First, Second and Third Corps and the right of the Fifth and 
Sixth Corps. The march of our Regiment took us through War- 
renton Junction, Bealeton and Morrisville. The Third Corps 
effected a crossing at Kelly's Ford with Httle loss, capturing 
several hundred prisoners. 

On the right, however, the enemy was encountered at 
Rappahannock Station. Two brigades of the First Division, 
Sixth Corps, captured a fortification of the enemy near where 
the railroad crossed the Rappahannock, capturing over a thous- 
and prisoners, several cannon, small arms and supphes. In this 



114 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

brilliant affair, the Fifth and Sixth Maine Regiments took a con- 
spicuous part and reflected honor upon the State of Maine. 

The Regiment crossed the river on the 8th and proceeded 
about eight miles in the direction of Brandy Station, Captain 
Starbird being in command. Lines of battle were formed here 
as though a brush with the enemy was expected. On the loth 
the Regiment advanced with the Division two or three miles 
and encamped. We here took possession of a Confederate 
camp recently and hurriedly vacated by the enemy. The 
Nineteenth took the camp of the Second Louisiana Regiment, 
and some of the log houses found here were very fine. The 
writer recalls that the house falling to his lot, and which he oc- 
cupied with his messmates was a well constructed log house 
with a brick chimney. The boys found here a pretty comfort- 
able home, where they would have been willing to have spent 
the winter. The Regiment remained here until the 24th of 
November. During our stay near Brandy Station the only 
camp which we occupied was about two miles directly south 
from Brandy Station and about half way between the Station 
and Stevensburg. Occasionally in Culpepper county a Union 
man was found. This fact was attributed to the great influ- 
ence of John Minor Botts, who remained true to the govern- 
ment during the war. Mr. Botts had a large estate north of 
the railroad and one mile west of Brandy Station. He was 
now an old man, upwards of sixty years of age. He was at 
home during the stormy period of the war except when Jeff 
Davis had him in prison in Richmond, charged with treason. 

MINE RUN 

The Mine Run campaign does not awaken pleasant mem- 
ories in the minds of the survivors of the old Regiment. That 
campaign imposed upon us hardship but gave us no honor. 
It is, however, a part of our history. It was the purpose of 
General Meade to move his army from its position around 
Brandy Station and by a rapid march push his troops inside of 
General Lee's line of defense at Mine Run and attack the corps 
of either Hill or Ewell, separated by some distance from each 
other. The movement was planned to begin on the 24th of 



BACK TO THE RAPPAHANNOCK I It 

November, but a heavy rain storm on the preceding night 
caused the execution of the plan to be deferred. We started on 
this campaign on Thursday morning, November 26th. This 
was our national Thanksgiving Day. The advance was made 
in three columns. The right column was composed of the 
Third and Sixth Corps, which were to cross the Rapidan at 
Jacob's Ford. The left column was composed of the First and 
Fifth Corps, and they were to cross the river at Culpepper Mine 
Ford. The Second Corps composed the central column and it 
was ordered to cross the Rapidan at Germanna Ford and proceed 
in a westerly direction on the Orange turnpike to Robertson's 
Tavern. The First Corps was ordered to come up and form 
on the left side of the Second and the Fifth Corps was to extend 
the line of the First Corps as far as Parker's Store on the Orange 
plank road. The Third and Sixth Corps were instructed to form 
on the right of the Second Corps at Robertson's Tavern. 

Now, in order to insure success, the greatest celerity of 
movement was essential. When the engineers began laying the 
bridges at Germanna and Jacob's Fords, it was discovered that 
they lacked two or three pontoon boats to reach the southern 
shore. The rains of the 23rd and 24th had extended the banks 
of the Rapidan. So the head of the Second Corps did not reach 
Robertson's Tavern until about ten o'clock in the forenoon of 
the next day. Here the Confederate infantry was encountered, 
after brushing his cavalry out of the way. The Fifth Corps 
reached Parker's Store at about the same time that our Corps 
reached Robertson's. The Third Corps was not up, as expected, 
early on the 27th. 

The orders to General French were after crossing Jacob's 
Ford, to proceed at once to Robertson's Tavern, about eight 
miles distant, and take position on the right of our Corps. 
French's Corps was followed by Sedgwick's Corps. The cross- 
ing at Jacob's Ford was so difficult that most of the artillery of 
the Third corps had to be sent to Germanna Ford, two miles 
below, in order to cross. It was with the greatest difficulty 
that the supply train crossed at this point by reason of the 
narrow road and precipitous banks. Not having a guide who 
knew the way, French's troops took the wrong road and had 



Il6 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

to retrace their steps. There is no question but the orders to 
General French were very diificult of execution. General 
Prince, who commanded the leading division, was dilatory and 
slow. General French encountered and fought a division of 
Ewell's Corps on the 27th. He reached Robertson's Tavern 
on the morning of the 28th. General French was one of the old 
officers of the Army of the Potomac. He was made a Major- 
General in November, 1862. He was severely criticized for 
his lack of resolution and energy in this campaign. He was 
relieved from the command of the Third Corps the following 
March and was mustered out of the service as a Major-General 
of Volunteers on May 6th, 1864. 

From the time of the arrival of the Regiment near Robert- 
son's Tavern, it formed in line of battle, supporting Battery B, 
First Rhode Island, where it remained until three o'clock in the 
afternoon. The Regiment then advanced to the front, support- 
ing the skirmish line consisting of parts of the First Minnesota, 
Eighty-second New York and Fifteenth Massachussetts. It 
was here that Lieutenant Colonel Joslin of the Fifteenth Massa- 
chusetts, was taken prisoner while advancing his skirmish line 
through the woods. He was detained in prison until August 
of the next year, when he was exchanged and mustered out of 
service, his regiment having already been mustered out. Col- 
onel Joslin was very highly esteemed by the men of his regiment. 
At nine o'clock at night, the men went upon the skirmish line, 
where they remained all night without sleep. We were on the 
edge of dense woods and the Confederate skirmishers were only 
a few rods distant from our line. In the early morning of the 
28th, the Regiments of our Brigade were converted into a skir- 
mish line and occupied the extreme right of the Division. 

The Third Brigade connected with our left. The whole 
line was then advanced some two or three miles through a 
group of pines very difficult to penetrate. The advancing troops 
soon came in sight of Mine Run. We remained here until two 
or three o'clock in the afternoon without fires and in a cold 
drenching rain storm. Our Regiment was relieved here by a 
portion of the Sixth Corps. 











ft 




f 


^^ki 


"IBM! 



Major David E. Parsons. 



BACK TO THE RAPPAHANNOCK I I7 

We were now near the western confines of that Wilderness 
region of which Chanceliorsville is near the eastern border. 
Mine Run rises south of the Orange turnpike and runs almost 
directly north through a valley skirted on either side by hills, 
and empties into the Rapidan about half way between Jacob's 
Ford and Mitchell's Ford on that river. The valley through 
which it runs was in places swampy and difficult or impossible 
for soldiers to cross. At the place were Mine Run flows perpen- 
dicularly across the Orange turnpike and plank road, these two 
roads are less than three miles apart. 

Upon the request of General Warren, he was authorized 
to take the Second Corps and Terry's Division of the Sixth 
Corps and make a reconnoissance to the left and around the 
right flank of Lee's army. This increased Warren's command 
to about eighteen thousand men. We withdrew from the line 
of battle at daylight on November 29th, marched back on the 
turnpike to Robertson's Tavern and then turned south, striking 
the Orange turnpike somewhat west of Parker's store. We 
then marched west and soon reached the cavalry outposts of 
General Gregg. Caldwell's Division was ordered to the front 
and the Confederates were pushed back some two or three miles 
and across Mine Run. The Regiment was not engaged this day 
and the men bivouacked here that night. General Warren was 
further reinforced during the night of the 29th by two Divisions 
of the Third Corps. We advanced and formed in line of battle 
at two o'clock in the morning on the 30th of November. Our 
Brigade was formed between the railroad grade and the plank 
road. General Hays' Division joined us on the left and a 
division of the Third Corps on our right. A division of the 
Sixth Corps was south of the Catharpin road leading from 
Todd's Tavern and the extreme left of our line. We were 
formed in three lines of battle, ready to assault the enemy's 
breastworks. The First Minnesota was on the skirmish line. 
The Fifteenth Massachusetts and Nineteenth Maine were in 
the first line of battle. The orders were to unsling knapsacks, 
fix bayonets and prepare to storm the strong intrenchents of 
of the enemy in front. 



Il8 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

I J All night long we could hear the Confederates chopping 
down trees, giving commands and building breastworks. It 
had become intensely cold. When the morning dawned such 
a sight presented itself as to cause the men's faces to grow pale. 
The enemy had reinforced the part of their line in our front. 
Strong breastworks and abattis had been constructed. Their 
cannon commanded every square foot of ground between our 
line and theirs. The enemy occupied a naturally strong posi- 
tion. Without any opposition, it would have taken our men 
eight or ten minutes to run up the hill and to cHmb into their 
intrenchments. Not a gun was fired in front of our position, 
but many of the Confederates stood on top of their breastworks 
looking down upon us, as much as inviting us to go up the hill. 
The boys talked in low tones to one another. Messages were 
confidentially given and received, to be sent home in case of 
death. Many of the soldiers pinned their names and the 
names of the organizations to which they belonged, upon 
their coats for identification in case they were killed. 

At a reunion of the survivors of the Nineteenth Maine 
Regiment at Richmiond, in 1878, the late Colonel William H. 
Fogler gave a very vivid description of our perilous position 
at Mine Run. It is here inserted: 

"Let me recall a scene. It is night; a dark, bitter night, in the 
late autumn. Already the biting winds of winter are sweeping over 
hill and plain, freezing the warm blood as it courses through the veins, 
and even casting its chill upon the very hearts of men. In front 
sharply rises a steep, almost precipitous hill. Upon its crest the hands 
of the enemy have raised a massive breastwork, strengthened by 
fascine and gabion, and all the skill and energy of which men are 
capable. Upon right and left, in front, along the whole long line of 
works, the deep cannons' mouth cast their terrible frown down the 
long hill-side, threatening death to all who dare approach the strong- 
hold. The steep slope which extends from the plain below to the 
threatening crest above, is netted by moat and ditch and thickly set 
with abattis, and all those fearful contrivances through which men 
must cut their way in order to reach the heart of the enemy's works. 
Through the long night the sound of spade and axe, and the moving 
of artiillery, show that the enemy is adding to the strength of his 
already well-nigh impregnable position. Upon the plain below is our 
own army. Each regiment is placed in position for attack upon the 
enemy's works. Knapsack and blanket are piled in the rear, that 
they may not impede the progress of the men up the fearful hillside. 

Though hunger calls for food, no meal can be prepared, for the fires 
necessary for the purpose would show our position and our numbers 
to the watchful enemy ; though the cold winds freeze the very marrow, 



BACK TO THE RAPPAHANNOCK I I9 

no friendly fire can restore warmth to the chilled limbs; though the 
drooping eyelids call pitifully for sleep, each soldier knows that to 
sleep uncovered in that bitter air would be the sleep of death ; though 
every muscle has been taxed to exhaustion by the long weary march 
of the preceding day, no rest can be had, for only by constant motion 
can the men avoid perishing with the cold. 'At daylight the enemy's 
works are to be carried by assault.' Such is the order of the com- 
manding general. Every man understands the full meaning of that 
short but fearful order. It means that when the signal is given, they 
must rush with the impetuosity of wild beasts into that fearful thicket 
with which military art has studded the hill-side, and with axes, 
bayonets, with their torn, bleeding, bare hands, they must tear a 
way through the very top. That when that terrible advance begins 
along the long line of works, the artillery will hurl its iron storm, and 
musketry will pour its leaden hail. That when the crest is reached 
a hand to hand contest will take place, bayonet will clash on bayonet; 
clubbed musket will deal thick blows about, and foes perhaps clinch 
each other in a death struggle. That thus shall the battle rage until 
ad own the hillside our shattered, almost exterminated line will be 
hurled in utter defeat; or up the rampart shall be flung the glorious 
Stars and Stripes, and the exulting shout of victory shall ring from 
the hilltop. This every soldier knows is what awaits him at the 
breaking of the storm. At daybreak the enemy's works are to be 
assaulted He knows that upon thousands of his comrades, perhaps, 
and likely upon himself, the bright sun has risen for the last time; 
that his next beams will fall upon heaps of dead; that his rising shall 
be heralded by the shrieks of the wounded and the moans of the dying. 
And so, the long night passes slowly away, each man waiting and 
watching to catch the first glimmer in the east, which may be the 
signal of his own death. Thoughts of home, of loved ones, of his 
childhood scenes — O God ! what thoughts do not press upon his weary 
heart and brain. We read of heads turned white by a single night of 
terror; that with the knowledge that death comes with the morrow, 
reason has deserted her throne, and the wretched man has become a 
raging maniac. But yet those men, through the long hours of the 
night, look coolly in the face of death. To but a few does there come 
any thought of escaping the responsibilities and dangers of the coming 
mom." 

As soon as it was light enough to see, General Warren was 
observed walking along in front of our lines of battle eagerly 
scanning, through a field glass, the Confederate position. He 
was accompanied by a single staff-officer. The Confederate 
works were about as strong as field works could be made. 
Opposite our Division sixteen cannon were disclosed, ten of 
which were in an embrasure, with an abattis, ditch and rifle 
pits in front. The cold had become almost unbearable, it hav- 
ing steadily grown colder during the hours of the night. It 
was said that General Warren had spent the greater part of the 
night upon the line of battle. He decided that under existing 
conditions the attack would be useless. He assumed the re- 



120 THE NINETEENTH. MAINE REGIMENT 

sponsibility of declining to make an assault upon the Confeder- 
ate works and so notified General Meade. In this act, General 
Warren displayed a high degree of moral courage. His position 
was unanimously indorsed by his soldiers, not in spoken words, 
but in lightened hearts and cheerful faces. A sigh of relief and 
a silent prayer of thanksgiving went up from the hearts of the 
men in the line that morning. 

General Sedgwick had found what he thought was a weak 
place in the enemy's lines opposite our extreme right. He 
was to attack at eight o'clock in the morning, and General 
Warren's attack was to follow a half hour later. The booming 
of Sedgwick's guns was heard on the right. The cannonading 
came down the lines toward the left, but Warren's guns were 
silent. Later Sedgwick was ordered to suspend active opera- 
tions. 

The Regiment remained in line all day. At seven o'clock 
in the evening the Nineteenth was ordered forward, deployed 
and advanced to relieve the skirmish line in front. The suffer- 
ing of the men during the long hours of the bitterly cold night 
was intense. The Regiment was relieved on the skirmish 
line on the morning of December ist, by the Forty-second 
New York, and rejoined the Brigade in the rear. Early in the 
afternoon, the Nineteenth, with the Brigade, advanced to the 
front, south of the railroad grade, near the Grasty House and 
threw up breastworks. At half past eight o'clock on the night 
of the ist, a detail was made from some of the regiments in the 
Division to remain and keep up the fires in order to deceive 
the enemy, remaining until three o'clock in the morning. Be- 
tween eight and nine o'clock the Regiment took up the home- 
ward march, left in front, along the plank road. Our Division 
was in the rear and our Brigade was in the center of the Divi- 
sion. We passed New Hope Church and Parker's store and 
then struck into the wood road or cart path leading northward 
and came out at the old Wilderness Tavern. We marched all 
night, reaching the river at Culpepper Mine Ford about ten 
o'clock the next morning. Some of the men who were left to 
keep up the fires were captured and some escaped to the river and 
landed safely on the north bank. When we came in sight of the 



BACK TO THE RAPPAHANNOCK 121 

Rapidan, a band on the north bank was playing '"Oh! Ain't 
you glad you got out of the Wilderness" ! Lieutenant-Colonel 
Cunningham in his report states that "this made two nights 
in succession which the men and the officers had passed without 
sleep." Men marched in the ranks that night in a half uncon- 
scious condition, would fall exhausted by the roadside and be 
sound asleep as soon as they touched the ground. It required 
vigorous persuasion and almost brutal force to waken the 
men and induce them to resume the march. At eleven o'clock 
in the forenoon of December 2nd, our Division was massed 
on the north side of the Rappahannock and rested for an 
hour and a half. After the pontoon bridges had been 
taken up, scouting parties from the Confederate cavalry ap- 
peared, cautiously approaching the south bank of the river. 
A few shells were sent after them, which caused their sudden 
disappearance. We arrived at our old encampment at 9 p.m. 
December 2nd, and found to our great disappointment that 
our old log houses had been burned. "Our army swore ter- 
ribly in Flanders," would feebly describe the language of the 
Second Corps that night. We had marched for 24 hours with- 
out halting except to stop for breakfast on the north bank of the 
Rapidan. Col. Cunningham reported when we arrived in 
camp, that "for sixty-six hours the men of my Regiment had 
but ten hours and a half rest." We had been absent on this 
campaign for seven days and nights. 

The Mine Run campaign was ended. The army had 
marched and counter-marched and manoeuvred to no purpose. 
To be sure it had lost little, but it had gained nothing. It 
had consumed time and wasted energy, but had gained no ap- 
preciable advantage. 

During this campaign our Division had been commanded 
by General Webb and our Brigade by Colonel Baxter, of the 
Seventy-second Pennsylvania Infantry. 

The losses in the Nineteenth Maine in the Mine Run 
expedition were very small. They were as follows: Irad M. 
Henderson, Company B, wounded November 27th. Isaac 
L. Sanborn and Simon H. Willey, Company E, were taken 



122 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

prisoners of war. Dennis Cleary, of Company I, was also 
taken prisoner. 

The men of the Regiment went immediately to building 
winter quarters and had just got them fairly completed, when, 
on December 6th, we moved over some six miles toward Brandy 
Station, and on the 7th we moved up near Stevensburg, where 
we finally settled for the winter. 

Colonel Heath resigned on November 4th, and a numerous- 
ly signed petition was forwarded by the officers of the Regiment 
to the Governor of Maine, requesting him to appoint Captain 
Fogler to the vacant colonelcy. Quartermaster James W, 
Wakefield resigned November 13th, 1863, and First Lieutenant 
Albert Hunter, of Company H, was promoted to that position. 
Captain George L. Whitmore, of Company C, who had been 
absent from the Regiment since the battle of Gettysburg, 
resigned November 7th, and First Lieutenant Charles E. Nash 
of Company F, was promoted December i8th to be Captain of 
Company C. First Lieutenant Albion Whitten, of Company C, 
resigned November 17th, and Second Lieutenant William H. 
Emery, of the same company, was promoted to be Captain. 
Second Lieutenant Joseph L, Clark, Company I, resigned 
November 30th, and Sergeant Lafayette Carver, of Company 
I, was promoted to be Second Lieutenant of that Company. 
Second Lieutenant Charles P. Garland, Company H, was pro- 
moted to the rank of First Lieutenant of the same Company 
December 13. Second Lieutenant George R. Palmer, Comp- 
any I, was promoted to be First Lieutenant of that Company, 
October 19, 1863. • - . * 

Nothwithstanding the many changes in the officers of our 
Regiment since its organization, the changes in the general 
officers of the Army of the Potomac had been still more marked. 
Out of forty or more general officers who had commands under 
McClellan on the Peninsula, only about eight remained. Meade 
Hancock, Sedgwick, Birney, Sykes, Newton, Caldwell and 
French were still with us. The last four of these eight, however, 
left the Army of the Potomac within the next two or three 
months. 



BACK TO THE RAPPAHANNOCK I23 

It was very different in the Confederate Army of Northern 
Virginia. When vacancies occurred in that army from any 
cause, promotions were made from the same organization, 
officers who had shown their fitness to command, filled such 
vacancies. Their brigades were generally made up with regi- 
ments from the same state. This produced a wholesome rivalry 
among the brigades and counted for much. At the north we 
multiplied regiments, while the Confederates used new soldiers 
to fill up old organizations. Then, as a rule, the Confederate 
brigades were named for their commanders. The Stonewall 
Brigade and Mahone's Brigade meant Virginia troops. Dan- 
iel's Brigade was composed of North Carolina, and Jenkins' 
Brigade of South Carolina soldiers. Wafford's Brigade, signi- 
fied Georgia troops and Law's Brigade, Alabama troops. Hum- 
phreys' Brigade was composed of Mississippi and Hays' Bri- 
gade of Louisiana regiments, and so on. 

During the autumn the Brigade and some times the Divi- 
sion, were ordered out with sickening frequency to witness the 
execution of men by shooting or hanging. Desertion was the 
common offense of these unfortunates. It was regarded as 
necessary that the faithful soldiers should witness the 
deserter's ignominious death as an object lesson or warning. 
This relic of barbarism is still cherished in some of the states. 
To illustrate its deterrent effect, within two days after one of 
these shooting parties, four soldiers were reported as deserting to 
the enemy from the same regiment to which the dead deserter 
belonged. In the month of August we were compelled to witness 
the shooting of a soldier for desertion from the Twentieth 
Massachusetts. The Twentieth was known as the Harvard 
University Regiment. As shown by its History recently pub- 
lished, there were 190 desertions from this regiment. The 
History of the Nineteenth Massachusetts records 150 desertions, 
while the Seventh Michigan had only about forty. These regi- 
ments all belonged to our Division. The story of the Nineteenth 
Maine is not marred by the recital of the execution of any of 
its soldiers. No member of the Regiment was ever put to death 
by military authority. Only thirty-five of its members were 
guilty of desertion, and some of these were probably captured 



124 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

by the enemy instead of having deserted. Verv hkely the same 
is true with respect to the other regiments here named. It vvill 
be said, however, that the appalUng figures of desertion from 
the Twentieth Massachusetts is accounted for by the character 
of the recruits received into that regiment. It is not clear that 
the recruits sent to the Massachusetts regiments differed 
greatly in character from those sent to the Maine regiments. 

It was a fact as notorious as it was shameful that soldiers 
on the fatiguing march, fainting by the roadside or compelled 
by utter exhaustion to leave the ranks, were generally reported 
as deserters. These men were no more deserters than the 
commanding officers of the companies who so reported them. 
To illustrate what is meant, James O. Stevens on the distressing 
march from Manassas Gap to White Plains, July 25th, 1863, 
collapsed and sank by the roadside. He had been in poor 
health since he participated in the battle of Gettysburg, but 
refused to go to the hospital. The boys of his company carried 
his rifle and his blankets, for a while on this march, to relieve 
him. There were no ambulances following our Division that 
day. Stevens was picked up by Mosby's guerrillas, and sent 
to Richmond, where he died in Libby Prison, February 22nd, 
1864. He was a young man of good education and excellent 
character. On the muster roll of August 31st, 1863, the follow- 
ing record is made on the company roll: "James O. Stevens 
deserted service July 25th, 1863, on the march from Manassas 
Gap to White Plains, Va. Took one Springfield rifle and set 
of equipments with him, value I22.60. Also one knapsack, one 
haversack and one canteen, value $3.14." Independently of 
what military regulations required, this record made against 
Stevens was an inexcusable outrage. The muster-rolls and 
other records of the Regiment show that this is by no means 
an isolated case. It was so much easier to mark a man a 
deserter on the rolls than to go to the trouble of finding out, 
by inquiry, what had become of him! 

John Foley was captured in the Wilderness, Isaac L, San- 
bosn and S. H. Willey at Mine Run. These three men be- 
longed to Company E. James Ballard was captured at Jeru- 
salem Plank Road and James Hammond on the march to 




Adoniram J. Billings, Surgeon. 



I 



BACK TO THH f<A PPAHANNOCK 1 25 

Bristoe Station. These two men belonged to Company G. 
Mark S. Babb was taken prisoner in the Wilderness and 
Charles Prescott on the Jerusalem Plank Road; both men be- 
longed to Company fi. John Anderson, of Company 1, was 
captured at some unknown place. Henry Roberts, of Company 
K, was taken prisoner in the vicinity of Bristoe Station. All 
of these men, and others not enuumerated here, were marked 
on their company muster rolls as deserters, and all of them 
died, after long confmemet, in Confederate prisons. 

The early months of the winter spent on Cole's Hill near 
Stevensburg were in pleasant contrast to the gloomy encamp- 
ment the preceding winter at Falmouth. Profiting by experi- 
ence, the men were enabled to build substantial quarters and 
live more comfortably. 'I he rations issued to the men were 
much better. jVlany of them had boxes sent to them from home, 
by express, containing eatables, underclothing, boots and other 
luxuries. Then too, the original m.embers of the f^egiment 
had become acclimated. Orders were issued in December 
permitting furloughs to be granted to officers and men for fifteen 
days. Many availed themselves of this opportunity. 

Adoniram J. Billings, the Surgeon of the Regiment, was 
discharged for disability January iith, 1864. At the reunion 
of the Regiment at Bath, in 1874, Lieutenant-Colonel Spauld- 
ing made the following statement with regard to the character 
and worth of Surgeon Billings, a tribute to that man which a 
large portion of the Regiment will gladly indorse. "\ want 
to bear testimony to the efficiency of that officer whose per- 
plexing duties surpassed all others at this camp, who was 
compelled to battle diseased bodies and minds in all shapes 
and forms and conditions, requiring often the use of harsh and 
severe treatment and language as the only remedy, though 
applied at the risk of placing himself in a false position before 
men whose esteem he or any one would regard of great value. 
I believe the Regiment was indebted more than can ever be 
known or told, to the skill of the Surgeon whose large and 
patriotic heart was continually pained and lashed almost be- 
yond endurance by the duties he was called on to perform, 
and the emergencies of that early winter's camp. Justice has 



126 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

never been accorded to Dr. Billings; it never can be. I know 
(in the same way I know this earth revolves upon its axis, 
that the blood circulates in this right arm, that God rules 
over all) that no mora patriotic, efficient and large hearted 
surgeon ever entered the army than the first surgeon of the 
Nineteenth Maine Volunteers." 

A considerable number of men from the Regiment went 
to Washington to be examined for promotion as officers of 
Negro regiments, and some where successful. An order was 
issued from Corps headquarters to the effect that the Govern- 
ment desired to procure the services of members who were 
experienced seamen to serve in the Western gunboat flotilla. 
Few "old salts" were found who cared to make the change. 
Details for picket were made for a period of three days on 
account of the distance to be travelled, so the boys were not 
called upon very often. There were regular company and 
battalion drills daily or reviews when the weather permitted. 

On the 23rd of February, our Corps and Kilpatrick's 
Division of cavalry were reviewed by General Meade. Many 
officers of distinction were present to witness the marching 
troops. It was rather an imposing sight. 

Early in February, it was planned that General Butler, 
commanding the Army of the James, should attempt to cap- 
ture Richmond by moving rapidly upon it, from the south. 
No one ever expected that he would succeed, and in this no one 
was disappointed. It became necessary, however, to assume 
an aggressive attitude on the Rapidan, in order to keep Lee 
from sending troops to Richmond. So on the morning of 
February 6th, the Second Corps, under command of General 
Caldwell — General Warren being ill at the time the Corps 
started out — moved down to Morton's Ford on the Rapidan. 
The enemy had a picket line along the southern bank of the 
river and a small force of men in rifle pits at the Ford. There 
was a small island near the middle of the river. General Hays, 
commanding the Third Division of our Corps, sent a brigade 
across and nearly the whole force of the enemy at the Ford was 
captured without the loss of a man. The other two Brigades 
of the Third Division were then sent across. Major-General 



BACK TO THE RAPPAHANNOCK I27 

Warren came up and resumed command of the Corps late in 
the day. Our Brigade was ordered across the river at 7 o'clock 
at night, Colonel Baxter in command. Captain William H. 
Fogler was in command of the Regiment, and his report of this 
affair is herewith appended. 

"We left our present camp at 7 a. m. February 6, 1864 the third 
Regiment of the Brigade in the Une of march. Were moved to a point 
near Morton's Ford, on the north bank of the Rapidan; arrived there 
about 11 a.m. Remained in hne with the rest of the Brigade during 
the passage of the Third Division across the river, and until dark, 
when we received orders to cross the river at the bridge, which was 
accomplished. We were placed in position on the left of the Fif- 
teenth Massachusetts Regiment about half a mile from the river, and 
some 10 rods to the right of the road, which runs perpendicularly 
to the river from the bridge. At once received orders to place skir- 
mishers 100 yards in^our front, which was done, Companies D, Lieuten- 
ant Pierce, and F, Captain Starbird, commanding, being selected for 
that duty. About 9 p.m received orders to detail two companies for 
same duty, who were to be deployed on the right of the Eighty-second 
New York's detail of skirmishers, and to extend from their line to the 
river at a point about 80 rods above the bridge. Companies B, Cap- 
tain Parsons, and G, Captain Whitehouse, were detailed for this pur- 
pose, and reported to a staff officer of brigade, who conducted them to 
their position. 

"About 10:30 p. m. I received orders from Colonel Baxter, com- 
manding Brigade, to deploy the remaining six companies as skir- 
mishers on the left of the Fifteenth Massachusetts Volunteers, which 
had previously been deployed. Our line was to extend from the 
large house just in front of the left of the line of the Fifteenth Massa- 
chusetts to the house on the hill, to the left of the main road before 
mentioned, our line running across the open field. This order was 
executed as soon as practicable. 

"At 1 a. m. of the 7th instant, received orders to fall back, form 
the Regiment, and return to the north bank of the river. I did so with 
four companies, the other two having been taken by Colonel Baxter 
for the following duties: Company C, Captain Nash, to remain on the 
original skirmish line, with instruction to fall back if pressed hard 
before two hours, and to return at any rate at the expiration of that 
time to the north bank of the river and rejoin the Regiment. Company 
A, Captain Spaulding, was directed to form a line near the bridge, on 
the left of the road, to support the skirmishers, and to remain until 
the skirmish line fell back. At 2 a.m. we were in our first position on 
the north bank of the river. The companies that were left on the 
other side rejoined the regiment about 3 a.m. We occupied this line 
until 7 p.m., when we received orders to return to camp, where we 
arrived at 10 p.m. 

"Our whole loss was 2 men wounded; none killed or missing. 
Both men wounded were hit while crossing the bridge by stray bullets. 

"The conduct of both officers and men of the entire Regiment was 
excellent throughout." 

The squad of men which Captain Nash commanded came 
near being captured when they started to return across the 



128 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

river. The only loss in the Brigade occurred in our Regiment, 
The casualties in the Nineteenth were James F. Chase, private, 
Company F, wounded; Sergeant James N. Hinckley, Company 
K, mortally wounded; Sergeant Hinckley died February 15th. 



BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS I29 



CHAPTER VII. 



BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS. 

A slender vine on an old oak hung 
And clasped its scaly rind; 
From trunk to top its pennons flung 
And laughed to scorn the wind. 

And men, who passed the way along, 

Admired, and oft would speak 

Of the kindly law that gave the strong 

To aid and shield the weak. , 

Indeed it was as fair a sight 
As any in the land. 
To see the puny parasite 
Upborne by tree so grand. 

One day the vine in anger said, 

"My tendrils I'll untie 

ALONE, aloft I'll rear my head 
And leave the oak to die." 

The winds were out, and strong they grew 
And hurtled through the air; 
They whistled and blew the old oak through 
And laid its branches bare. 

The tempest ceased; its rage was o'er; 
Gaily the sun did shine; 

The sturdy oak stood as before 

Low lay the lifeless vine. 

The above lines were written soon after the secession of 
South Carolina from the Union and were published in Vanity 
Fair, early in February 1861. Their author was Selden Connor, 
a young man twenty-two years of age, just out of college and 
then absent from his native state, studying law at Woodstock, 
Vermont. Young Connor enlisted and served as a Sergeant in 
the First Vermont — a three months Regiment. He then 
returned to Maine and was elected by the officers and com- 
missioned, without his solicitation, as Lieutenant-Colonel of 
the Seventh Maine Regiment. 

General Hyde, who was an officer of the same Regiment, 
and author of the admirable little volume, "Following the 



130 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Greek Cross," makes this suggestive comment, "that in the 
election of Selden Connor as Lieutenant-Colonel we made no 
mistake." 

Lieutenant-Colonel Connor commanded the Seventh a 
portion of the time in the Peninsula campaign, and at the storm- 
ing of Marye's Heights in May 1863, when he and his regiment 
were complimented by General L. A. Grant, in his report of 
that engagement, for the "gallant manner" in which they came 
to his aid. He also commanded the Seventh in the Gettysburg 
Campaign. 

He was on duty in Portland, Maine, in the fall of 1863 as 
a member of the general court-martial, of which Colonel Hiram 
Burnham was president. Captain J. H. Roberts, of the Eighth 
Maine, a member of the court, said to Colonel Connor one 
morning: " I went to Augusta yesterday and you cannot guess 
what I went for. 1 went to ask the Governor to appoint you 
Colonel of my regiment. Governor Coburn said he would ap- 
point Colonel Connor to the next colonelcy, whether it should 
be the Eighth or the Eighteenth." The next vacancy hap- 
pened in the Nineteenth, by the resignation of Colonel Francis 
E. Heath, and the Governor true to his word, appointed Col- 
onel Connor to fill the vacancy on the ist of December, 1863. 
He was retained on duty in Portland until, in response to re- 
peated requests for orders to join his regiment, he was ordered 
to the front, where he arrived on the 25th of February, 1864. 

Colonel Connor's reputation had preceeded him. The 
soldiers of the regiment expected great things from him, and 
they were not disappointed. His dignified bearing, his constant 
solicitude for the welfare of his soldiers, and his coolness and 
bravery in action won their confidence and esteem, which he 
always retained. 

By virtue of Colonel Connor's rank, he was at once placed 
in command of the Brigade, which then consisted of only four 
regiments — the Nineteenth Maine, Fifteenth Massachusetts, 
Eighty-second New York and 152nd New York. The last of 
March, the First Corps was consolidated with the Fifth, the 
Third Division of the Third Corps with the Sixth Corps and 
the First and Second Divisions of the Third Corps with the 



BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS I3, 

Second This eliminated the names of the First and Third 
Corps from the records of the Army of the Potomac. General 
Hancock, who had nearly recovered from his Gettysburg 
wound assumed command of the enlarged Second Corps 

^ZT A^T" r ''' ^^'^' '"' ^^"^^^^ Sedgwick of the 
Sixth. All these Corps commanders had been connected with 
the Second Corps. Burnside's Ninth Corps had been ordered 
up withm supporting distance. It had not yet been incorpo- 
rated mto the Army of the Potomac, but remained an indepen- 
dent organization until the 24th of May. The foregoing con- 
solidation necessitated a reorganization of the Second Corps 
The regiments of the First and Third Brigades of the Second 
Division, with the exception of the ,52nd New York, were 
consolidated and became the First Brigade, which then con- 
sisted of nine regiments. These regiments were the Nine- 
teenth Maine, the Fifteenth, Nineteenth and Twentieth Massa- 
chusetts the Forty-second, Fifty-ninth and Eighty-second 
New York the Seventh Michigan and the Twenty-six'th WiTcon- 
of";hi. R '^'y'^^'y. ^f ^P"' General Webb assumed command 
of this Brigade, having been succeeded in the command of the 
Division by General Gibbon, and Colonel Connor returned to 
the Nineteenth. During the period of his command of te 
Brigade Captain Starbird was in command of the Regiment - 
both the Ueutenant-Colonel and the Major bein| absent 
Major Welch returned to the Regiment just before th! opening 
of the campaign. The four Divisions of the Second Corp! 
were commanded by Generals Barlow, Gibbon, Birney and Mott 
respectively. ^ ■ 

The spring was cold and rainy. Near the last of March 
there was a heavy fall of snow-four or five inches. The va i 
ous details were so heavy and so many officers were absent on 
recrmting service that there was not very much drilling Sn^J 
pox prevailed to a considerable extent. At one time there 
were eight or nine cases in the Nineteenth 

Soon after the ist of January the men of the First Bri<rade 
constructed a fine, large, log chapel, for the purpose of rel giou! 
services and entertainments. Rev. Henry V Talbot ChanZ 
of the ,5.nd New York, was leader in the interesting relS 



132 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

services held there. Chaplain Talbot was a fine looking man, 
heavy-set with black whiskers, and he looked as though he 
enjoyed good living. He was pleasant and tactful, a man of 
considerable ability, always wearing a smile, and he became 
quite popular with the men of the Brigade. A considerable 
number of men professed conversion in these meetings. 

Entertainments of different kinds were held in this chapel, 
and a debating society was organized late in the spring, where 
the soldiers discussed the great problems agitating the nation. 
They did not, however, criticize the commanding officers. 
When they wanted to arraign the officers they did it in a less 
public place. Meetings and entertainments in this old log 
chapel were pleasant and profitable and served to vary the 
monotony of camp life. 

Captain Charles E. Nash wrote a letter from Stevens- 
burg, Virginia, March 30th, 1864, from which the following 
extract is taken: 

"Colonel Sheldon Connor, our commander, has just returned to 
the Regiment, having been for the past few weeks acting in the capac- 
ity of Brigadier-General. Captain Starbird commanded the Regi- 
ment during Colonel Connor's absence. Many of our officers are ab- 
sent in Maine on recruiting service, but will probably receive instruc- 
tions to join us ere many weeks. The young men of the First Brigade 
have organized a Soldiers' Lyceum, which is in successful operation. 
It is held semi-weekly in the Brigade chapel building, fitted up by the 
United States Christian Commission, and patronized by the various 
military ranks. Sergeant Moses S. Dennett, of Company F, Nine- 
teenth Maine, a Litchfield boy, is president, (killed on the battle-field 
of the Wilderness.) Last Sabbath several converts were baptised in 
the stream which flows past our camp. A religious interest has pre- 
vailed during the past two months, and a goodly number have entered 
the Army of the Great Teacher. The benevolent efforts of the Chris- 
tian Commission are reaching the hearts of the multitude. It has 
been a real power in the Army, and always for good, physically as 
well as morally." 

At the request of General Webb, Colonel Connor, when in 
command of the Brigade, held a brigade dress-parade, which 
had been introduced by General Torbert, of the Sixth Corps, 
and had been taken up by several brigades of that corps. The 
nine Regiments of the Brigade were formed in line of divisions, 
at half distance, on a gentle slope. The commanding officer's 
position opposite the center of the line was on rising ground, 
and immediately in his rear, on the crest of a hillock. General 



BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS 133 

Webb and his Staff stationed themselves, as spectators. The 
nearby hillside was covered with lookers-on from the other 
brigades of the Division. It formed a beautiful and imposing 
military spectacle — one of the many presented by the army in 
the field in the line of its duty — without thought of "making 
a show." 

A spectacle of a different kind was that presented on the 
14th of April, when an English soldier of the Nineteenth Massa- 
chusetts was hung in the presence of the whole Division. His 
offense was an outrage on a woman living near the picket line. 
The Division was formed in a hollow square and waited while 
the doomed man was escorted from headquarters a mile or 
more distant, the accompanying band playing dirges all the 
way. The procession passed entirely through the lane formed 
by the two lines composing the square, facing each other, the 
culprit on a caisson seated on his coffin, blindfolded, and bound 
in a manner suggesting an attempt to defy the arts of a knot- 
loosing fakir. The passing of the cortege entirely around the 
square, in slow time, to the wailing strains of the band was so 
harrowing, so revolting to the sense of humanity that one of 
the men in the ranks said long afterwards that if anybody had 
given the word there would have been a rush to free the prison- 
er or, at least, to put a stop to the barbarous cruelty of the 
proceedings. 

On the 9th of March 1864, General Grant received his 
commission as Lieutenant-General and the next day visited 
the Army of the~Potomac, where he established his headquarters 
fifteen days later, and where they remained until the close of 
the war. 

General Grant's appointment put General Halleck out of 
business. Halleck was Commander-in-Chief of the army from 
July 23rd, 1862 to March 9th, 1864. He was the recipient 
of much cursing in his day but he occupied a position very 
difficult to fill. He was recognized as an officer of scholarly 
attainment but as a commander of troops in the field he was 
a grievous failure. 

When we reached Morrisville early in August 1863, there 
were less than one hundred men on duty with the Regiment. 



•34 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

The trying winter at Falmouth and the hardships of the Get- 
tysburg Campaign had made fearful havoc in our ranks. 
While encamped at Morrisville, the Regiment received 198 
recruits, as has been heretofore stated, and early in Septem- 
ber, while at Culpepper, 144 additional recruits came to the 
Regiment. Some of these recruits were drafted men, some 
were substitutes and others volunteers. The greater portion 
of them were men of character and made good soldiers. Quite 
a number of men who had left the Regiment by reason of 
sickness or wounds, returned to us from the hospitals. When 
the Regiment started out on the Wilderness campaign there 
were present for duty twenty-two commissioned officers and 
468 enlisted men. 

At the opening of the Wilderness campaign, the Army of 
the Potomac, including the Ninth Corps, numbered about 120, 
000 men. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia comprised from 
60,000 to 70,000. His three infantry Corps were commanded 
by Generals Longstreet, Ewell and A. P. Hill, and his cavalry 
by General J. E. B. Stuart. General Lee's headquarters were 
near Orange Court House. Longstreet's Corps was encamped 
at Mechanicsburg, about six miles south of Gordonsville, some 
distance away from the rest of the army. 

Two roads lead from Orange Court House down the Rapi- 
dan river in the direction of Fredericksburg. These roads 
follow the general direction of the river and run almost parallel 
to each other. The Orange turnpike is nearest the river and 
the Orange plank road a short distance to the south of it. The 
route of our army lay directly across these two roads. Where 
the two armies confronted each other these roads are about 
two miles apart. 

The Second Corps was reviewed by General Grant on the 
22nd day of April, and General Morgan pronounced it "the 
finest corps review" he had ever seen in this army. A few 
days thereafter orders were issued which inaugurated the most 
memorable campaign of the war. 

it was near midnight on May 3rd when the army started 
on its march southward. The Second Corps, preceded by 
Gregg's Division of cavalry, crossed the Rapidan on pontoon 



i 



BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS I35 

bridges at Ely's Ford, early in the morning of May 4th. The 
head of the Second Corps reached the Chancellorsville battlefield 
of the year before, soon after ten o'clock in the morning. It 
had been a fatiguing march of twenty miles. It was very hot 
on the 4th of May. The sides of the road from the river to 
Chancellorsville were thickly strewn with overcoats and blank- 
ets, to which the soldiers had clung, as necessary to light house- 
keeping in Virginia during the cool nights of spring. Desire 
yielded to necessity and many a poor family, along the line of 
march, laid in a supply of clothing for years to come. We drew 
no special inspiration from the historical association of this 
old battle ground. Skeletons of dead men and the debris of 
battle were found in all directions. Here the Corps rested until 
the next morning. 

The Fifth Corps, followed by the Sixth, and preceded by 
Wilson's cavalry, crossed the river at Germanna Ford, some 
six miles above Ely's Ford. The Fifth proceeded, in the fore- 
noon of May 4th, to the vicinity of the Wilderness Tavern, near 
the intersection of the Germanna Ford road and the Orange 
turnpike, while the Sixth Corps encamped on the hills south of 
the Rapidan. The night of the 4th of May, our Corps encamped 
five miles east of Warren's Corps. 

At five o'clock in the morning of May 5th, the Regiment, 
with the Second Division in the advance, was marching, with 
a swinging gait, for Todd's Tavern by the way of the Furnaces, 
followed by the other divisions of the Corps. We arrived at 
Todd's Tavern between eight and nine o'clock in the morning 
and heard the booming of Warren's cannon up the Brock road, 
between us and the Rapidan. We were halted just beyond 
Todd's on the Catharpin road, which led westerly to Corbin's 
bridge over the Po river. Flankers were thrown out in all 
directions. This was an impressive hour. The boys of the 
Regiment were stirred by the exciting scenes about them. 
The clash of arms had come. It seemed to bring a feeling of 
relief rather than of depression. The hour to which all had 
looked forward with so much concern had arrived. The pre- 
vailing sentiment was expressed by Sergeant-Major Wood, who 



13^ THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

laughingly said, "Well, boys, the sooner it comes, the sooner it 
will be over." 

At nine o'clock General Hancock was informed by General 
Meade that the enemy had appeared on the Orange turnpike 
and ordered him to wait at Todd's until the "matter develops." 
In the early morning of May 5th, we had infantry on the Orange 
pike but no cavalry, and cavalry on the Orange plank road but 
no infantry. Ewell had encamped on the night of the 4th within 
three miles of Warren on the Orange turnpike, but our officers 
had no knowledge of that fact. So when Warren started across 
the country for Parker's store on the plank road, on the morning 
of May 5th, he threw Griffm's Division up the turnpike as a 
military precaution, to protect the main column. Griffm 
unexpectedly met the advance of Ewell's Corps on the turnpike 
and the battle of the Wilderness was opened. 

Just before noon. May 5th, Hancock was ordered to move 
back to the intersection of the Brock road and Orange plank 
road, as soon as possible. In coming from Chancellorsville, we 
had marched in a southwesterly direction. In hurrying up the 
Brock road to its intersection with the plank road, we were 
going a little west of north. In marching down, Birney's Divi- 
sion brought up the rear and in the retrograde movement, his 
Division had the advance and so reached the battlefield first. 
Mott followed closely after Birney and then came Barlow, while 
our Division, with some of the artillery, brought up in the rear. 
The Corps numbered over 25,000 men, and with artillery 
marching over a narrow road the movement was necessarily 
slow. While the head of Birney's Division reached the desig- 
nated cross-roads about two o'clock in the afternoon, yet it was 
between five and six o'clock before our Brigade reached the 
plank road. This point was about seven miles from Todd's 
Tavern. The last part of the march, we took the double-quick 
step and ran along the Brock road with the bullets coming 
from the woods on our left, whistling over our heads. This was 
a hot run for the Regiment. Many men were lying beside the 
road, unconscious from sunstroke. 

There has been some confusion among writers as to the 
locations of different regiments of the Brigade, and under whom 




Brigadier-General Selden Connor. 1864. 



BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS 137 

dtTvS h ""^f "^ ''' '"""'' ''^^'^ engagement. From a 

■s accurat ,,^f ""'" °^ '''^ ''°°'^' ^"'' "'^'''^ ^e believes 
B accura e as far as ,t goes, this information is obtained- The 

ToadtnTther" "' rr' '' '"^ '"'"-«■- °f "^^ BrLk 
road and the Orange plank road, halted and there was some de- 

he ril't o?,h ?T"' ™' ""'"y ^'^"' i"*" 'he woods on 
the nght of the plank road and it did not get into position 

of US "ZlT, ?""'" ""S^"''' '" '- ""-- -- i" f-" 
o Mav Th "°' '"^'«' the enemy on the night of the jth 
of May. There were only occasional shots fired after the 
Regiment was m position. 

to the"l!?,' 7,1^ TT^ °^ "'y "^"^^ °"'- R«g™«"t crossed 
to the left of the plank road and advanced to the support of 
some troops and about nine o'clock took the front line Ld 
began firmg and advancing, the enemy falling back. There 
were then no troops in line on our left. In about half an hour 

du t^a ^o'dJ of r' "^r' '° ''' '''' ■" ^^^- -- *--'ered 
qutte a body of Confederates on our left flank and somewhat 

hanJe. ■ t '"' '"'° "'• ^''^ "''""' '"'" '° l^"^ 'he troops 
change front so as to meet this unexpected attack, but about 

TJ^ZuT"""' ' ^'^°"'"' ^^^^"" fi-oni the front. The 
n^en fell back m good order to the Brock road, firing as they 

went The Regiment lost quite a number of men here Upon 
hor^ ^"',^':'' 1'°'" "'"'' ""'""'' '^"'"^■de was seen on Ms 
and a *, ff I ''' °^' ''°"'"« "'^ "^'^ head shining in the sun 
and a staflF-olTicer was pointing out to him where he was to pu 

IZ^f 'I V"' "'"•" ^^P^' i"^' 'hen coming down ?he 
road from the direction of the Wilderness Tavern. His soldiers 
pushed into the woods on the right and soon fierce firing was 
heard in the direction of his front. 

In the early afternoon we were ordered in on the right ot 

he p ank road. The following is a quotation from the diary 

to which reference has been made: ^ 

Genera, ^'ebb l^l^l^l^^ ^l^^S f^Sj. JZ SnTti 



'3^ THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Regiment, apparently as calm as on parade, sayin;^, 'hold then, boys , 
I will soon have you relieved.' I never saw a general officer in a 
hotter place, yet he was not touched. In a few minutes we were 
relieved, went a short distance to the rear and drew some more cart- 
ridges and then advanced. Here we found our lines flanked and our 
troops coming rapidly to the rear. Colonel Connor at once deployed 
the Regiment nearly parallel with the road, attempting to stop the 
stampede of troops to the rear. We waited until the enemy was 
close upon us, when we were ordered by Colonel Connor to open fire 
upon him. The Confederates appeared to be staggered by this un- 
expected fire into their faces and halted for a time. Soon their bullets 
began to come into our ranks from most all directions. It was here 
that our brave Colonel Connor was shot down and carried to the rear. 
Our Regiment was the only troops left on this part of the field. We 
then started for the Brock road and made good time in getting there. 
About five o'clock Longstreet's troops came down through the woods 
in the line of battle on a charge, bugles sounding, seeming confident 
that they would carry everything before them. A section of the 
Sixth Maine Battery was planted across the road, pouring canister 
into their ranks, and our men lay behind the breastworks. When the 
enemy got near enough we ^opened fire and while in some places Long- 
street's men planted their colors on our works, in about fifteen min- 
utes those not killed went back howling." 

At this time fire was raging in the woods and in some 
places the breastworks in our front were on fire. The heaviest 
loss in our Regiment occurred on the right of the plank road in 
the early afternoon. 

The history of the Nineteenth Maine in the Wilderness 
campaign is given in the official reports of J. W. Spaulding, 
Captain commanding the Regim.ent, on the 3rd of August, 1864, 
the the date of rendering his report, and of General Alexander 
S. Webb, the Brigade comm.ander, both taken from, the Official 
Records : 

That portion of Captain Spauldings' report which relates 
to the battle of the Wilderness is as follows: 

"The Regiment struck tents at half past nine p.m.. May 3, 1864, 
and marched with the Division at twelve o'clock same night, crossing 
Ely's ford on the Rapidan just after daybreak May 4th marched to 
Chancellorsville, where it arrived about noon. May 5th marched 
at 5 a.m. Upon arriving at Todd's tavern, line of battle was formed 
and the Regiment sent out to support the skirmish line. In the 
afternoon, the Regiment counter-marched, moving back to the Wilder- 
ness. It was then detached from the Brigade and reported to Colonel 
Carroll, commanding Third Brigade, and formed in the rear of second 
line. Early in the morning of May 6th, an advance having been 
ordered, the Regiment moved forward and, although in the third line 
when it started, when our line met the enemy it was in the front line 
and wholly unprotected on its left flank. Colonel Connor immediately 
reported that this left was wholly exposed, but before troops arrived 
the enemy had turned our left and compelled our lines to fall back. 




Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph W. Spaulding. 1864. 



BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS I39 

The Regiment reformed on the plank road and rejoined the Brigade 
tSZl^fh^'^ immediately formed, the right of this Regiment connect! 
S! Vn\ A r^ the Fifty-seventh Massachusetts Volunteers of 

^H^.n ? Army Corps which had just arrived. The line very soon 
advanced and after having been hotly engaged with the enemy aSut 
one hour, the Regiment was relieved and marched back nearly to the 
line of breastworks and formed along the plank road. The mo^vement 
hfv W^ T "''"""'"^ when the line in front was compelled ^f Si 
back before the superior numbers of the enemy and the Regiment 
again became engaged. It was then that the gallant Colonel Conner 
fell severely wounded while striving to rally the retreating columns 
The Regiment held its position here until the enemy had turned both 

i^t "tT f ""^^ °^^^^"^ '° '''''' ^° '^' ''^' °f the line of breast- 
works. The loss was very severe in the several engagements of the 

General Webb in his official report, made after he was 
wounded at Spottsylvania, states that it is necessarily incom- 
plete, from his inability to obtain any reports from regimental 
commanders, most, if not all, of them being killed or wounded 
The following are extracts from his report : 

r^KK^?". *^^ 6th at about six a.m. I received orders from General 
r^t ^ ^^."'^^^ t?,.*^ "ght of the plank road and report to Maior- 
General Bimey, which was promptly done. General Bimey ordered 
ZLTr7T -^^ deploy on the right of the plank road and move 
forward to join Brigadier-General Getty, of the Sixth Corps I 
deployed and advanced as ordered." f • ^ 

* * * 

riah.'lj^^ffi''^'^ i" "jy position until the enemy appeared on both 
right and left flanks of my command, when I received an order from 
General \^adsworth to go to the left to determine what was the cause 
of the disorder taking place there." 

* * * 

. "^.,^.°^^ ^^°"l."^y command to obey these orders. Seeing the 
f^C-^ ^^ i eftecting anything, I returned to my command and 
h.Ti li" ^°^^"^^. 1" the road. The Nineteenth Maine Volunteers 
halted when opposite to me and commenced firing at the enemv 
K°R ^'"^.^'T '^^ ^'.l'^^ '^' Pl^"^ ^°^d. It was halted by CoS 
unZrcll 7\2^T''''^^ S°''"°/' "^^thout orders, since I was absent 
dfrl /. !r ''1^!^'^''^°'*^ ' °^^^'''' ^"d i" d°i"g this, Colonel Connor 
tt 2 ""^^^."^^^^ "^^^ necessary. He prevented the enemy from see- 
ing the rout The road was jammed with troops and the rear of the 
h?i ^■'^°" "^ ^f^'^ '"r?r^^ ^^'^'^^y l^^d "ot Colonel Connor stopped 

rPt,-S ?l 1. i^^^ ^°i°"f^ '^''""°^ ^^^1' ^^d ordered the Regiment to 
retire through the woods. 

General Webb, in his article entitled "Through the Wilder- 
ness," in "Battle and Leaders of the Civil War," says: 

W«rl3'\TiJ T"^^ ^^^^ ^T°i^ endeavoring to carry out the order that 
Wadsworth had given me, I found the Nineteenth Maine, under Colonel 
mi to ho?H T' T ^^ P^^"^ ?^^ . ^"°ther regiment also stayed with 
me to hold tlie plank road and to deceive the Confederates, by fighting 
as though they had a continuous line. Colonel Connor was shot in 



140 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

the leg after a long skirmish ; 1 offered him my horse, but his wounds 
being such as to render him unable to mount, he had to be carried to 
the log works. His Regiment stayed there until I gave the order to 
break like partridges through the woods for the Brock road." 

Under date of April i8th, 1865, General Webb, then 
Meade's Chief of Staff, wrote to Colonel Connor and in referring 
to the action of the Regiment, he said that "it was a most 
important thing to the troops crowded in flight down the plank 
road. It prevented Longstreet's determining the state of con- 
fusion they were in. Wilcox told me they lost twenty minutes 
following us there and lost their chance to go in with us." 

An important fact does not appear in either of the reports 
or in the article and letter of General Webb herein quoted. It 
is this: After the Nineteenth Maine had been firing some time 
its cartridges, heavily drawn upon in its action before rejoin- 
ing the Brigade, became exhausted. Colonel Connor in person 
reported the fact to General Webb, who ordered him to take his 
Regiment back to the ammunition boxes which he would find 
a short distance in the rear, and replenish its cartridge boxes. 
Captain Spaulding did not know of this order when he made 
his report, and General Webb appears not to have remembered 
it. It is not to be wondered at that he could not recall every 
incident affecting one of the many regiments of his command. 
Another instance of his failure to recall a particular incident 
accurately is afforded by the statement in his article in " Battles 
and Leaders of the Civil War," herein quoted, " I offered him 
(Colonel Connor) my horse, but his wounds being such as to 
render him unable to mount, he had to be carried to the log 
works." When Colonel Connor fell, General Webb asked him 
if he were wounded, but made no offer of his horse. General 
Webb was wounded in the head at Spottsylvania and was 
taken to Fredericksburg and placed in the room where Colonel 
Connor and other wounded men were lying. When General 
Webb learned that Colonel Connor was in the room he sent his 
orderly to the latter to beg his pardon for not offering his horse 
and the reply was returned that there was no occasion for 
regret since Colonel Connor could not, with his broken thigh, 
have mounted the horse. 



BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS I4I 

Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel William W. Swan, U. S. A., 
in a paper on the Battle of the Wilderness read before the 
Military Historical Society of Massachusetts and published in 
Volume 4, of the papers of that Society, says, "Although the 
Rebels knew they had caused us to retreat in disorder the 
woods did not allow them to see the extent of the disorder. It 
is reported that in the road a Maine regiment did excellent ser- 
vice, preventing the enemy from seeing the rout then." The 
"Maine regiment" must have been the Nineteenth, since it was 
the only Maine regiment on the plank road at that time. 

In an article by John R. Turner in Vol. XX of the South- 
ern Historical Society Papers, on the Battle of the Wilderness 
appears a communication from Hugh R. Smith, Adjutant of 
the Twelfth Virginia, Mahone's Brigade, from which the fol- 
lowing is taken: 

"My remembrance of the affair is that our Brigade was 
advancing in line of battle, and the woods being on fire caused 
our Regiment (The Twelfth Virginia) to swerve to the right 
thereby becoming somewhat separated from the rest of the 
Brigade, and we seemed to come into contact with the left -flank 
of the enemy, who were holding the plank road, and I thought at 
the time we were sent there especially to disloge them." 

In the same article is a letter from Joseph E. Rockwell 
also of the Twelfth Virginia, who writes: "Here the retreating 
enemy came upon their reserves and ive had it quite hot, until many 
of our comrades were shot down. I was fortunate to catch a 
friendly ball myself." 

In an address by Leigh Robinson, of the Richmond How- 
itzers, before the "Virginia Division of the Army of Northern 
Virginia," May i, 1877, speaking of Longstreet's flank attack, 
he says, "See what three brigades are doing, cooperating with 
others in front! They fall on Hancock's left, crushing Frank's 
Brigade, sweeping away Mott's Division. Hancock's left is 
forced back. He endeavors to retain the advanced position, 
held by his right on the plank road, but cannot do so." 

The following is the reference to the flank attack in the 
history of the Twentieth Massachusetts: 



142 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

"Meanwhile General Longstreet had sent 'a column of four brigades 
to the unfinished railroad embankment on his right, which struck the 
left of our new line and doubled up Frank's Brigade, then a part of 
Mott's Division, and produced such a critical condition in this part 
of the field that Hancock reluctantly gave the order for our forces to 
withdraw to the Brock road, where, during the afternoon and night of 
the 5th, breastworks of logs had been erected. The Twentieth retired 
under orders, and its exact position duridg the remainder of the battle 
is still to be determined." 

This indicates that the Twentieth Massachusetts did not 
resist the flank attack on the plank road, nor does the history 
of the Fifteenth or the Nineteenth Massachusetts mention that 
they took any part in opposing the flank movement of the 
enemy on the plank road. 

General Connor's excellent account of the Nineteenth in 
the Wilderness is given in a letter of which the following is a 
copy: 

"Portland, Maine, Oct. 12, 1896. 
Brevet Lieut. Col. Charles H. Banes, 

formerly Captain and Assistant Adjutant General, 
1st Brigade, 2nd Div. 2nd Army Corps, 
Philadelphia, Pa. 
My dear Colonel: 

"I received a short time ago Part I, Vol. XXXVI, of the Official 
Records' containing reports of the Battle of the Wilderness, that of 
General A. S. Webb among them. So much of the report as relates to 
my Regiment, the Nineteenth Maine, (p. 438) does not appear to me 
to be quite accurate, and I wovtld like to know if you have any recollec- 
tion of me and my Regiment in that action, and, if any, how it tallies 
with mine. The circumstances were such that I think you must recall 
them. For my own part I have so often recalled that action in which 
I received a wound that disabled me for further service that it seems 
fresh in my memory. 

"Very soon after the arrival of the Second Corps on the field of 
the Wilderness, late in the afternoon of the 5th of May, I was ordered 
by General Gibbon, our Division commander, to report to General 
Carroll on the plank road. I formed on the Brock road and went for- 
ward through the woods, my left guided on the plank road, until I 
came to General Carroll's command. It was quite dark when I found 
General Carroll and reported to him. He said he should make no 
advance that night, but that probably we should go forward early in 
the morning. The command advanced at an early hour on the 6th 
and my Regiment became engaged on the left of the road, with a 
force in the edge of the woods, across a stretch of low ground or depres- 
sion. There was no force of ours on our left and therefore my Regi- 
ment was soon forced to fall back by a flanking fire from that quarter. 
As soon as we had reformed a short distance in rear. General Webb 
came down the road with our Brigade, and I was ordered to rejoin the 
Brigade. Line was formed on the right of the plank road, the Nine- 
teenth Maine on the right, and an advance was made until we came to 
the depression across which my Regiment had been engaged a little 
before. There we were met by the fire of the enemy and the Brigade 




Hon. Selden Connor, 1905. 



BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS I43 

was halted and a heavy interchange of firing was maintained for some 
minutes, when the ammunition of my Regiment, heavily drawn upon in 
its previous action became exhausted. I reported the fact in person 
to General Webb, and he ordered me to take the Regiment back to 
the ammunition boxes a short distance in rear and replenish my cart- 
ridge boxes. The Regiment was withdrawn in line as directed, and 
a supply of ammunition was found not more than a hundred or a hun- 
dred and fifty yards to the rear. As soon as the cartridge boxes were 
replenished firing was heard in the woods to our left and the sound 
grew nearer, indicating that our forces in that direction were giving 
way to the enemy. You were with my Regiment at that time — my 
impression is that you had come with me to show me where the ammu- 
nition was placed — and I said to you that I would change my front for- 
ward on my left company in order to cover our people who were being 
driven back, and I suggested to you that you had better inform Gen- 
eral Webb of the force apparently coming on, to flank his left, since 
his attention might be so occupied with his front that he would not 
notice it in time, and also of the action I proposed to take. You rode 
forward towards the position and I changed my front so that my line 
was just in rear of the plank road and parallel with it. In a few min- 
utes the Vermont Brigade of the Sixth Corps broke from the woods 
into the road in a confused mass and strean^ed down the plank road 
toward the Brock road. General L. A. Grant, the Brigade commander 
and other officers were striving to rally them, but they were crowded 
together in such a huddle and the pursuing enemy was so close upon 
them that it was hardly possible for them to reform, 1 I was on the 
plank road at the left of my Regiment and just in front of it. The 
Vermonters came out of the woods just at that point. As soon as 
they were clear of my front and the enemy were close at hand, I opened 
fire. I was soon after struck in the thigh by a shot coming from the 
right, and fell at the side ot the road. When I was down I saw General 
Webb just behind me and he asked if I was hit. I was taken off the 
field in a blanket by some of my men. The rest of the story is told in 
General Webb's report. 

"I have thus briefly sketched the part my Regiment took in the 
Wilderness until I fell, in order that I may refresh your memory as to 
the incidents to which I have referred as having been specially under 
your cognizance. You will confer a great favor on me if you will 
give me your recollection of them. It would not surprise me if you 
should not have the clear memory that I have of them, because they 
were specially impressed on my mind as the closing of my service. 
With great regard, 

Yours very truly, 

(Signed) Selden Connor." 

The receipt of the letter was acknowledged by Mrs. Banes, 
who wrote that her husband was too ill to attend to any busi- 
ness. It was subsequently learned that this was his last illness.^ 

These reports show that the Nineteenth Maine rendered 
important service at the critical period in the battle of the 



1 General Grant informs the writer that he ordered his Brigade 
to retire. 

2 Colonel Banes died January IS, 1897. 



144 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Wilderness, just as it had done on the 2nd and 3rd of July at 
Gettysburg. In his letter to Colonel Connor, General Webb 
reports the rebel General Wilcox as saying that they "lost 
twenty minutes following us there and lost their chance to go 
in with us." In some reports of rebel officers the reason given 
for not continuing the pursuit was the fall of General Jenkins 
and the wounding of General Longstreet by the fire of their own 
troops. Certain it is that their pursuit virtually ceased at the 
plank road. If they had kept on no doubt their progress 
would have been stayed a little further on. As the wounded 
Colonel of the Nineteenth was borne on a stretcher, to which 
he had been removed from the blanket in which Captain 
Smart had placed him, along the Brock road on the way to 
the field hospital, he saw Hancock in white shirt sleeves, sit- 
ting on a stump just in rear of his well manned log works, 
calmly waiting for an opportunity to discourage whatever as- 
sailants might appear in his front. 

CASUALTIES OF THE REGIMENT IN THE BATTLE 
OF THE WILDERNESS MAY 5-7, 1864. 

Colonel Selden Connor, wounded; Captain David E. Parsons, 
Company B, wounded; Captain Everett M. Whitehouse, Company G, 
wounded; First Lieutenant William H. Emery, Company C, wounded; 
Second Lieutenant Elbridge C. Pierce, Company D, wounded. 

Company A . 

Corporal Kingman Foss, killed; Corporal John Merrill, Jr., killed; 
James Carroll, killed; Nathan P. Frost, killed; William B. Murphy, 
killed; Charles M. Rowe, killed; 

Sergeant Asa Andrews, Jr., wounded; Corporal John L. Downs, 
wounded; John L. Armstrong, wounded; Alexander Bagley, wounded; 
Danville Bean, woimded; John P. Lancaster, wounded; Samuel Leavitt, 
wounded; Alonzo H. Quimby, wounded; Corporal Edward H. Smith, 
wounded; Benjamin Bums, prisoner; Henry H. Fairbrother, prisoner. 

Company B. 

Sergeant David G. Bagley, killed; Corporal Hugh A. Bullen, 
mortally wounded, died November 18, '64; Elijah K. Buzzell, mort- 
ally wounded, died in hospital, Washington, May 28th; Hosea B. Dun- 
ton, killed. 

First Sergeant Darius S. Richards, wounded; Sergeant Morrison 
R. Heal (Christian name appears also as Harrison) wounded; Corporal 



BATTLE OF THE WILDERNESS I45 

George M. Mayo, wounded; Corporal Samuel N. Robertson, wounded; 
William A. Hannon, wounded; Charles F. Jewell, wounded; John Marr, 
wounded; Benjamin O. Sanford, wounded; Edwin Smith, wounded; 
Jason Ware, wounded. 

Company C. 

Corporal Cyrus F. Snell, wounded, died June 12th; Richard A. 
Shepherd, killed. 

Sergeant Lindley H. Whittaker, wounded; Corporal Harrison T. 
Clough, wounded; Corporal George A. Osbom, wounded; Thomas B. 
Blaisdell, wounded; Benjamin F. Buzzell, wounded; Calvin G. Downs, 
wounded; Henry Judkins, wounded; Seth W. Ramsdell, wounded. 

Company D. 

Sergeant Ralph Johnson, wounded and missing, May 6, supposed 
to have been killed; Sergeant Nelson N. Mayo, wounded, died at 
Fredericksburg, May 21, '64. Corporal George F. Tufts, killed; Sewell 
H. Johnson, wounded, died of wounds July 22, '64; Thomas Welch, 
killed; Orlando F. Wentworth, killed. 

Orrin I. Peterson, wounded; Elbridge G. Raymond, wounded; 
Arthur M. Sawyer, wounded. 

Company E. 

Corporal Isaac W. Patterson, mortally wounded, died Lincoln 
General hospital. May 21, '64 ; John Foley, ^ prisoner, died at Anderson- 
ville, June 15, '64; William Farr, killed; Rufus H. Gould, killed; John 
E. Nickerson, killed. 

Sergeant Milton W. Nichols, wounded; Sergeant Alfred E. Nicker- 
son, wounded; Sergeant James H. Pierce, wounded; Albert Ames, 
woimded; Henry A. Doyle, wounded; John B. Huflf, wounded; Joseph 
Pooler, wounded ; Augustus L. Philbrick, wounded ; John Sargentson , 
wounded; William Trollop, wounded; Amos W. West, wounded; 
Edwin D. Wharff, wounded. 

Com-pany F. 

First Sergeant Moses S. Dennett, killed; Dexter B. Tenney, killed. 

Sergeant John E. Brann, wounded; Sergeant Andrew J. Goodwin, 
wounded; Corporal Jonathan Crane, wounded; Corporal Philip P. 
Getchell, wounded; Thomas A. Baker, wounded; Augustine Babcock, 
wounded; Roscoe Johnson, wounded; Morrill Rose, wounded. 

Company G. 
Sergeant George W. Chapman, killed; Sergeant George W. Merrill, 
killed; Nathaniel Lane, killed; Ruel Littlefield, killed; Stephen Wing, 
killed. 



1 There is some doubt in what battle of the Wilderness campaign 
John Foley was taken prisoner. The records of Company E do not 
disclose the information. There is no doubt, however, as to his death 
at Andersonville. 



146 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

First Sergeant George A. Barton, wounded; Sergeant Walter 
Jordan, wounded; Corporal Edwin D. Lee, wounded; Corporal Albert 
N. Randall, wounded; Thomas E. Carpenter, wounded; Andrew J. 
Dain, wounded; Elijah Howard, wounded; Elijah Gill, wounded; Hugh 
Hunter, wounded; Charles H. Jackson, wounded; Isaac Moody, 
wounded; George A. Smith, wounded; James Shortwell, wounded; 
Wihiam H. H. Small, wounded; Joseph A. Stewart, wounded; William 
B. Tobey, wounded; Lauriston G. Trask, wounded. 

Company H. 

Corporal William F. Wood, killed; Mark G. Babb, prisoner and 
died a prisoner of war; Charles L. Bigelow, prisoner, died at Anderson - 
ville prison, Sept. 3, '64. 

Sergeant Alfred T.Dunbar, wounded; Sergeant Francis P. Furber, 
wounded; Sergeant Charles E. Ramsdell, wounded; Corporal George F. 
Hopkins, wounded; Corporal William Leonard, wounded; Daniel B. 
Abbott, wounded; Andrew J. Basford, wounded; Henry Baston; 
wounded; Sanford Brann, wounded; Frank Brown, wounded; William 
H. Jewett, wounded; George L. Smith, wounded; Howard H. Taylor, 
wounded; George White, wounded. 

Company I. 

John Ward, killed; Charles Ripley, killed (also reported captured). 

George S. Cobb, wounded; Joseph H. Norton, wounded; Alfred B. 
Towle, wounded; Martin V. Myrick, wounded. 

Company K. 

Lot. A. Ford, mortally wounded, died at Fredericksburg May, 19th; 
John L. Thompson, mortally wounded, died at Fredericksburg, May 22, 
'64. 

Sergeant Isaac Webber, Jr., wounded; Corporal Robert Kilfedder, 
wounded; Corporal William T. Willis, woianded; James W. Hicks, 
wounded; Gardiner McAllister, wounded; Albert G. Rand, wounded; 
Albert Robinson, wounded; Edwin W. Swett, wounded. 

Justin T. Bourne, prisoner, and reported a prisoner at date of 
muster out. 

RECAPITULATION. 

Killed and mortally wounded _..--- 34 

Wounded, not fatally - ..-.-- -97 

Prisoners, of whom three died in prison .... 6 

Total - - - 137 



BATTLE OF SPOTTSYLVANIA 



CHAPTER VII 



M7 



BATTLE OF SPOTTSYLVANIA. 
The Battle of the Wilderness had been fought. The 
Nineteenth Maine Volunteers was lying behind the breast- 
works along the Brock road, at its intersection with the Orange 
plank road, facing west When returning from the fruitless 
Mine Run campaign the preceding December, the Second 
Corps had marched along this same Orange plank road, past 
Parkers store and nearly to its present position, where it 
turned north into a wood road and came out into the Brock 
road near the old Wilderness Tavern. The region in which 
the armies were now operating was historic ground. Spottsvl- 
vania County had, before the Revolutionary War, been the 
battleground of people struggling for religious liberty. Here 
men were persecuted and imprisoned for preaching the gospel 
outside of the established church. In the summer of ,781 
Lafayette, with his small army, pursued by Cornwallis, had 
come up from the North Anna, camping for the night at Mas- 
saponax church, and then proceeded north, crossing the 
Rapidan at Ely's ford, where our corps had crossed that river 
on the morning of May 4th. "Stonewall" Jackson, with his 
Corps marched northerly along this same Brock road May 
2nd, 1863 and fell upon the surprised right wing of the Union 
army at Chancellorsville. But the men of the Regiment were 
not specially interested at this time in historical associations 
1 ney had in mind more serious thoughts. 

About nine or ten o'clock on the evening of May 7th 
while the Regiment was resting by the roadside and awaiting 
developments, Generals Grant and Meade, accompanied by 
their staffs, rode along and halted at General Hancock's head- 

ZZT "''J'"'''' '^' ^'^'"^'"^ '">'• The burning woods 
lighted up the scene, and when the faces of the Commanders 
were recognized, wild cheers echoed through the forest 



148 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Tired as they were, the soldiers shouted with renewed en- 
thusiasm. The enemy must have thought a night attack 
was intended, for they opened fire upon us with shells, which 
had the effect of silencing the cheering. Soon the head of 
Warren's Corps appeared, marching south. This settled the 
question of the next move. Some of the men were intoxicated 
with joy and enthusiasm, and well they might be. 

This movement of the army toward Spottsylvania was a 
great surprise to the Confederates. Indeed, their surprise was 
increased by each flanking and advancing movement of the 
Union army. They had been accustomed to a program which 
began with a Union advance, culminating usually in one great 
battle, and ending in retreat of the Union army. Then would 
come the substitution of a new commander for the one beaten 
and then an offensive campaign on the part of the Confederates. 
This being the usual order of events, they confidently expected 
that General Grant would re-cross the Rapidan after the Battle 
of the Wilderness. Indeed, they felt hurt because our new 
commanding General, fresh from the West, would not recognize 
the customs and precedents so firmly established. It would not 
be an exaggeration to say that the Confederates were much 
disappointed in General Grant. 

It was not until daylight on the morning of May 8th that 
the Second Corps filed into the Brock road and followed the 
Fifth Corps south from the Wilderness battlefield toward 
Spottsylvania Court House. Barlow's Division led, followed 
closely by Gibbon. The troops marched south on the same 
road over which we had hurried north on the afternoon of 
May 5th, to the relief of the left wing of the Army of the 
Potomac. The Regiment was now commanded by Major 
Welch. The experience of the last three days had cast its 
shadow over the troops. As they marched away, the men of 
the Regiment, unaccustomed to weeping, looked, with moist- 
ened eyes and quivering lips, into the burning woods behind 
them, where so many of their comrades lay, unburied — com- 
rades who, in their dear old homes, had been their neighbors 
and schoolmates. 



BATTLE OF SPOTTSYLVANIA 1 49 

The head of the Second Corps reached Todd's Tavern at 
nine-twenty in the morning and the Regiment, about half an 
hour later, marched by the little old tavern, without even 
stopping for breakfast, and formed line of battle with the 
Second Division on the south side of the Catharpin road, 
facing southwesterly. There were four roads from Todd's 
Tavern, one running north to the Wilderness, one running 
northeast to Piney Branch church, where the Ninth Corps had 
been ordered, one going southeasterly to Spottsylvania Court 
House, on which road the guns of Warren's men could plainly 
be heard, and the other running southwesterly to Corbin's 
bridge, over the Po river. About one o'clock in the after- 
noon. Gibbon's Division was ordered to the support of General 
Warren and took the road toward Spottsylvania Court House. 
The Fifth Corps was heavily engaged and the Regiment 
reached the scene of action at about four o'clock and halted 
by the roadside to allow a portion of the Sixth Corps to pass. 
The Nineteenth bivouacked early in the evening of the 8th, 
near the Brock road and nearly a mile in the rear of Warren's 
line of battle. On the morning of the 9th, at about ten 
o'clock, Gibbon's Division countermarched a short distance 
and then faced to the south, and advanced through the woods 
toward the Po River, near the old road that ran by Hart's 
house. The Division connected on the left with the Fifth 
Corps and on the right with Barlow's Division, which had also 
moved southeasterly since the preceding morning. While 
the Division was in the line of battle, facing, and near the Po, 
a Confederate wagon train was seen hurrying along the road 
toward the Court House on the opposite side of the river. 
The Nineteenth was hastily thrown out as skirmishers and 
advanced to the Po, where it was found that the Confederates 
had a strong line of flankers, marching along near the south 
bank of the river. The Regiment was halted and a battery 
came into position near us and opened fire upon the 
wagon train. A stampede was created among the mules 
and mule drivers, which furnished amusement for the Regi- 
ment for a short time. This all occurred under the personal 
observation of Generals Grant and Meade, with whom General 



150 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Hancock was consulting at the time, and it probably suggested 
to Grant the project of attempting to crush General 
Lee's left flank. Barlow's and Birney's Divisions on the 
right soon crossed the river and Gibbon's Division crossed a 
little later in the afternoon, between Barlow's Division and 
Warren's Corp., on a temporary bridge, hastily constructed. 
On the morning of May loth, the three Divisions named, 
of the Second Corps, began skirmishing and advancing toward 
what was called the Block House bridge, whictkcrossed the 
Po river, within the Confederate lines south of the river. 
It was here that Lieutenant Sturgis of the Twentieth Massa- 
chusetts was killed. About eleven o'clock in the forenoon, 
the Regiment recrossed the Po with the Division, on a pontoon 
bridge which had been laid near the place where we crossed the 
evening before, and went to the support of Warren's Corps, 
which was heavily engaged down the Brock road. About three 
in the afternoon our Division, under General Gibbon, reached 
the line held by the Fifth Corps and our Brigade, under General 
Webb, took position on the right of Carroll's Third Brigade, and 
on the left of Crawford's Division of the Fifth Corps. The line in 
this locality was commanded by General Warren. Gibbon's 
lineof battle was strung along in a dense wood, consisting mostly 
of dead cedar trees, v^'hich rendered an orderly movement of 
the line utterly impossible. Owen's Brigade was in reserve. 
Word was passed along the line that when Crawford's Division 
charged on the right, Gibbon's troops were to cheer and join 
in the charge. The position of the enemy was a very strong 
one and the men of the Regiment hugged the ground pretty 
closely until the order was given to charge. When that order 
was received, the men took it out mostly in cheering, but it 
was a mournful cheer. We advanced about the same dis- 
tance that Crawford's Division did, which was not very far. 
General Carroll claimed that some of his Brigade reached the 
Confederate works. Many of the wounded were burned to 
death in the fierce conflagration which raged in the dry timber. 
Just before six o'clock in the afternoon. General Hancock came 
along and the lines were readjusted, with the understanding 
that another effort was to be made to take the strong works 



BATTLE OF SPOTTSYLVANIA I5I 

of the Confederates in front. It seemed to the men, who 
knew, as well as the officers, that these repeated charges 
placed the Union forces at a very unfair disadvantage and 
sacrificed hundreds of lives without adequate compensation. 
Hancock now had charge of the Fifth Corps and Gibbon's 
Division of the Second. The soldiers would cheerfully re- 
spond to any order General Hancock might give. Our Division 
had more confidence because he was there. So when the 
order was given to charge, Webb's Brigade went forward with 
the rest of the line, with a wild rush toward the nearest point 
of the Confederate works. On account of the trees and under- 
brush it was impossible to keep a regular line of battle. The 
troops could not live where the Confederate artillery, and 
more particularly its infantry, swept the ground over which 
the Union troops charged. The works to be captured were 
on higher ground, but the troops never reached the Confederate 
intrenchments. They came back from their fruitless effort 
in some disorder, and in his report, subsequently made, General 
Webb charged that the second line of battle, consisting 
principally of Owen's Brigade, broke to the rear. In this 
case it was more dangerous to be in the second line of battle 
than in the advanced line. During the first, and particularly 
during the second attack the woods between the lines took 
fire, and both in advancing and retreating the troops had to 
go around the burning places, which added somewhat to the 
confusion. 

With relation to these charges made in connection with the 
Fifth Corps, Colonel Charles H. Banes, the Assistant Adjutant- 
General of Webb's Brigade, and who had excellent facilities for 
observation, as follows: 

"The failure of the Second and Fifth Corps did not deter the Gen- 
eral commanding from a renewed attempt on the same position. Ac- 
cordingly, regiments had scarcely reformed before an officer made his 
appearance with directions to repeat the assault at precisely six o'clock. 
In spite of the horrible losses required by obedience to this command 
there was an approach to the ridiculous in the manner of its communi- 
cation. No officer of higher rank than a Brigade Commander had 
examined the approaches to the enemy's works on our front, and the 
whole expression of the person who brought the message seemed to 
say 'The General commanding is doubtful of your success.' The 
moment the order was given, the messenger put spurs to his horse and 



152 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

rode off, lest by some misunderstanding the assault should begin before 
he was safe out of the range of the enemy's responsive fire. 

"Promptly at the appointed hour the Division moved out of the 
woods toward the coveted works. The men had weighed the prob- 
abilities of success and decided that the attempt was hopeless. The 
advance along the line was made without enthusiasm, and it continued 
only a short distance, when a halt was made and firing commenced and 
continued for a brief period, when the whole force fell back as suddenly 
as before. 

"The result of the second attempt, although not attended with as 
heavy loss as the first, was more demoralizing. Some of the best troops 
of the Second Corps, the equals of any soldiers that ever carried arms, 
not only retired without any real attempt to carry the enemy's works, 
but actually retreated in confusion to a point far to the rear of the origi- 
nal line, and remained there until nearly night. Brigade staff-officers 
who were sent to recall the scattered troops found them gathered about 
their regimental flags, quietly preparing coffee and comparing expe- 
riences about the movement on Laurel Hill. In the two attacks of this 
day, the Second and Fifth Corps lost over five thousand men, while it 
is probable that the enemy did not lose one thousand." 

^v Mott's Division of the Second Corps had been sent to the 
left and was formed in Hne of battle between the left of the 
Sixth Corps and the right of the Ninth, early in the day. At 
the same time as one of the charges made by the Nineteenth, 
Mott's Division, and twelve picked regiments under the com- 
mand of Colonel Emery Upton, charged at different places to 
the left of the Spottsylvania road. General Mott was unable 
to accomplish anything, but the troops under Upton won im- 
perishable renown. They captured the enemy's works, in- 
cluding over a thousand prisoners, but, not being properly 
supported, were compelled to fall back. This gallant attack 
of Upton's is mentioned in order to record the fact that the 
Fifth and Sixth Maine Volunteers formed a portion of Upton's 
storming party and won honor on the field of battle for the 
Pine Tree State. 

There had been no losses in the Regiment since leaving 
the Wilderness battlefield, until May loth. The loss would 
have been much heavier on this day had it not been that 
we were partially screened from sight by the dense woods 
in front. 

The Regiment with the rest of Webb's Brigade threw 
up works during the night and remained in position with 
the other Brigades of the Division during the iith. There 
was no heavy engagement on this day but the troops 



BATTLE OF SPOTTSYLVANIA I53 

upon both sides were constantly engaged in constructing and 
strengthening their intrenchments and each seeking for a 
weak point in the other's position. The sharpshooters of the 
enemy commanded completely the position of our line of 
battle. In the afternoon of May nth, it rained hard, and 
late in the evening word was passed along the line to get ready 
to move with the utmost quiet and secrecy. Sometime before 
midnight our Division of the Second Corps, having been pre- 
ceded by the First and Third, much earlier in the evening, 
started toward the rear and left of the line of battle and soon 
after midnight the Nineteenth, with Webb's Brigade, reached 
the ground of Mott's futile attack, on the left, near Brown's 
house, on the preceding afternoon. Orders were issued that 
strict silence must be observed throughout the entire command 
during this march to the left. Arms and accoutrements, 
canteens, haversacks and tin dippers were to be carried so as 
to make no noise, and all commands were given in whispers. 
Staif officers were seen whispering to regimental commanders 
and pointing the way. The movement over rough ground 
and through woods was necessarily slow, with frequent halts, 
at which time the men, worn out by loss of sleep, and the 
terrible nervous strain which they had endured during the 
past eight days, would drop down for a moment's rest and 
fall asleep almost as soon as they touched the ground. A 
particularly laughable incident took place during one of the 
halts. A pack mule, on which was strapped blankets and 
cooking utensils, of some officer's mess, had become frightened 
at something far in the advance, and had broken away from 
his darkey attendant. The mule came galloping back be- 
tween us and the enemy, but hugging close to Gibbon's 
Division. The kettles and frying pans struck the trees along 
the mule's flight and every few leaps the mule let off panic- 
stricken brays that could be heard a mile, followed by dis- 
embowelled groans, that struck terror to the hearts of the 
tired soldiers. It seemed for a minute as though a legion of 
devils armed with frying pans and mounted on mules were 
charging the Union lines. Some regiments started on the 
run through the woods as though his Satanic Majesty was 



154 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

after them. Fortunately no shots were fired in the excite- 
ment and the stampede was soon checked. 

During the day an order was promulgated, stating that 
Butler had captured Petersburg and that Sherman had 
whipped Joe Johnston somewhere in Georgia, all of which 
was encouraging to the men, but none of which was true. 

It had been a long, tiresome march; but, in fact, the 
Division when it formed in line of battle in the early morning of 
the 1 2th, was not more than a mile and a half to the left of its 
position on the preceding day. The old Second Corps was to 
assault the salient,— the projecting angle of the Confederate 
fortification — which had been pushed out to the north, nearly 
to the Landron house. This portion of the Confederate line 
was held by "Stonewall" Jackson's old Corps, now commanded 
by Ewell. The Union lines of battle were formed before 
light, to the south of the Brown house and in front of some 
abandoned intrenchments. There was a clearing which ran 
from the vicinity of the Brown house to the Landron house, 
which was a little to the left of the ground over which the 
charge was to be made. Aside from this clearing, which 
curved to the right, looking from Brown's to Landron's on 
toward the enemy, the ground in front was thickly wooded. 
Barlow's Division, which had done such brilliant work south 
of the Po River on the loth, was given the place of honor in 
leading the charge. 

The troops of the Second Corps were now formed for the 
grand assault. Birney's Division was placed on the right in 
two lines of battle, separated by a few paces. Barlow's 
Division was placed on Birney's left, in column of regiments, 
doubled on the center. Mott's Division was formed in Bir- 
ney's rear in single line of battle. Gibbon's Division was 
formed in two lines of battle, Webb's Brigade being in the 
second line and the Division being in the rear and extending the 
whole length of the line occupied by Birney and Barlow. 
Here was an almost solid rectangular mass of nearly twenty 
thousand men to charge against the enemy's works. The 
same tactics, only on a larger scale, were to be employed that 
Upton used two days before. As soon as it was light enough 



BATTLE OF SPOTTSYLVANIA 1 55 

to see anything (for there was a dense fog at the time), the 
whole Corps stepped oft' together. 

Webb's Brigade was in the rear Hne of battle on the ex- 
treme right, and, however solicitous the men of the old Nine- 
teenth might have been for glory, no loud complaints were 
heard that morning because the Regiment was not in the front 
line. The charging column had to travel about three-quarters 
of a mile from its starting point to the enemy's line of works. 
The Regiment had to struggle through thickets, over fallen 
timber and across boggy ground, which retarded the advance 
and disarranged the lines. The distance was covered, how- 
ever, in an mcredibly short space of time. Nothing was 
heard until the Confederate picket reserve at the Landron 
house fired into the left flank of Barlow's men, killing and 
wounding several. As soon as the men in front could see the 
works at the salient they burst into a loud cheer and rushed 
forward. The shot and shell from the Confederate lines 
generally passed over the heads of the Regiment. Webb's 
line hurried forward and when, without much regard to for- 
mation, it reached the enemy's intrenchments, a terrible con- 
test was raging. Many prisoners had passed over the breast- 
works on their way to the rear. The writer remembers well 
of seeing Anson Turner, a private in Company F, step up to 
a Confederate officer and slap him on the shoulder, hard 
enough to fairly stagger him, and shout: "How are you, 

Johnny Reb, this morning? I am d d glad to see you." 

The officer did not reciprocate this friendly greeting. General 
Hancock had lost his hat and was seen bareheaded long before 
the troops reached the works. The Regiment climbed over 
the breastworks and joined in the wild pursuit. Some of the 
enemy had retreated, hastily firing as they went. Major 
Welch was severely wounded near the breastworks, but not 
until he had captured the flag of the Thirty-third Virginia, a 
regiment which belonged to the "Stonewall" brigade, com- 
manded then by General Walker, who escaped capture. 
Major Welch took the flag to the rear and this practically 
ended his military service at the front. On May 30th Major 
Welch addressed a letter to General Hancock, from Armory 



156 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Square Hospital, Washington, where he was being treated 
for his wound, stating that he then had the flag of the Thirty- 
third Virginia with him, which he captured May 12th. Major 
Welch stated that the occasion of writing this letter was that 
he learned that General Hancock had been making inquiries 
about the flag. Major Welch further stated that he had in- 
tended to send the flag to the Governor of Maine, but would 
do as Hancock might direct. A peppery indorsement was 
made on this letter by General Meade, alleging that, under the 
circumstances. Major Welch's conduct in carrying the flag to 
Washington was "exceedingly reprehensible." The flag was 
returned, but no fair-minded man believes that Meade's 
indorsement was justified, even if the army regulations had 
not been strictly observed. 

While pursuing the enemy between the salient and the 
McCool house, our Brigade commander. Gen. Webb, who was 
a most popular and deserving officer, was severely wounded in 
the head and was borne from the field. The Confederates 
rallied near a second line of breastworks. General Lee came 
near being captured here. The Union lines were thoroughly 
disorganized, each man fighting independently, and our men 
were forced back slowly toward the line of works which had 
been first taken. Up to this time the attack had been a 
brilliant success. The charge and pursuit had continued for 
nearly two miles. All semblance of regimental formation 
had disappeared and when the well organized counter attack 
was made by the enemy, the Union troops fell back and took 
refuge behind the captured works. These offered a good 
protection from the furious assaults of the enemy during the 
day. Mott now had the right of the Second Corps line 
connecting with the Sixth Corps, Birney came next, then 
Gibbon, and Barlow held the left of the line. When the 
lines were reformed behind the captured works it was be- 
tween five and six o'clock. 

In this assault, the Second Corps had captured 4,000 
prisoners, upward of thirty stands of colors and eighteen 
cannon. Among the prisoners were Major-General Edward 
Johnson and Brigadier-General George H. Steuart. The 




Alexander S. Webb, 
Brevet Major-General U. S. A. and U. S. V. 



BATTLE OF SPOTTSYLVANIA I57 

enemy's strong line of works for nearly a mile had been 
captured and was retained during the day. Johnson was a 
graduate of West Point and was there with General Hancock. 
When he, with the other prisoners, went to the rear, Hancock 
at once stepped forward and, in that graceful and courtly 
manner so familiar to his soldiers, extended his hand, say- 
ing: "General Johnson, I am glad to see you." Johnson 
took his hand, and with tears coursing down his face, replied: 
"General Hancock, this is worse than death to me." With 
a smile on his face, Hancock answered: "This is the fate 
of war. General, and you must not forget that you are a sol- 
dier." He then turned and cordially offered his hand to 
Steuart, who drew back and remarked: "Under the cir- 
cumstances, I decline to take your hand." Quickly came 
the response from General Hancock: "Under any other cir- 
cumstances, sir, it would not have been offered." General 
Hancock then turned his back on Steuart and entered into 
conversation with Johnson, and shortly after ordered Captain 
Mitchell, one of his Aides, to supply General Johnson with a 
horse and accompany him to Meade's headquarters. Colonel 
Joseph N. Brown, of the Fourteenth South Carolina Regiment, 
commanding McGowan's Brigade that day, states in a letter 
of recent date that he heard Johnson, after his exchange, relate 
the above conversation which took place between General 
Hancock and himself, and Hancock and Steuart. Colonel 
Brown writes of Johnson that he was "one of 'Stonewall' Jack- 
son's generals on whom, next toEwell,Lee greatly relied." He 
was much of a gentleman, as well as a brave soldier. He 
died in Richmond in 1880." Steuart resided in retirement 
after the close of the war in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, 
where he died near the close of 1903. 

At six o'clock in the morning, General Wright's column, 
comprising a portion of the Sixth Corps, marched upon the 
field and was conducted by one of Hancock's staff 
officers to the right of Gibbon's Division, where the fighting 
was desperate. While at this point of observation, a shell 
exploded and a piece of it hit Wright upon the thigh, 
but he did not leave the field. A few minutes afterward 



158 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Brigadier-General L. A. Grant's Vermont Brigade marched up 
close to the works and was ordered to support Gibbon's 
Division, and he also relieved a portion of Barlow's line. 

The Confederate intrenchments were built of large logs, 
piled several thick, one upon the other, and the spaces be- 
tween them filled in with dirt. It was as high as a man's 
head and its width and solidity made it a formidable obstacle. 
There was an abattis in front along a portion of the line, sub- 
stantially built. ^ 

Soon after the works were captured it began to rain. 
There was some thunder and heavy showers, especially in 
the forenoon, and the warm, damp air mingled with the 
smoke of the battle made it difficult to see far in advance. 
Late in the afternoon it rained steadily. 

Who can describe that desperate struggle of May 12, 1864? 
Able writers have attempted to give graphic accounts of the 
engagement. It was probably the fiercest battle of the war. 
From four o'clock in the morning until after midnight, twenty 
long hours, the battle raged furiously and continuously. The 
works captured by the Second Corps in the morning were held 
by that Corps and the Sixth during the day. The enemy 
sought to recover these works. Repeated unsuccessful 
charges were made against them during the day. Along these 
breastworks for nearly a mile, in a drenching rain, with the 
Confederates on one side and the Union soldiers on the other, 
firing directly into each others faces, the awful contest was 
waged. Bayonet thrusts were given across the intrenchments 
and soldiers reversed their rifles and clubbed each other over 
the head. Wounded men, bleeding, and blackened with the 
smoke of battle, were limping and crawling to the rear. 
Squads of Confederates at first placed dirty handkerchiefs on 
their bayonets, and when near our lines, lowered their rifles 
and fired into our faces. The same trick did not work, how- 
ever, a little later, when tried the second time. During the 
day ammunition was brought in boxes on men's shoulders and 

1 In 1902, the writer visited this battlefield, and these works, 
after thirty-eight years, were in many places more than four feet 
high, and he brought away many pieces of shell and bullets taken 
from the intrenchments. 




< 



m 



BATTLE OF SPOTTSYLVANIA 



'59 



passed to the men. Some men of the Regiment fired two 
hundred rounds of cartridges each that day. 

Artillery was brought up in the morning and the guns 
were planted on elevated ground in the rear of the Union 
lines and shot and exploding shells were fired over the heads 
of the troops. In a few places guns were pushed up close to 
our lines, where they poured canister into the faces of the 
Confederates. A section of Brown's Battery (B), First Rhode 
Island, took position on the right of our Division and verv near 
the Nineteenth and did excellent service during the day. A gun 
with six horses attached went galloping into position in the 
rear of the Brigade with one horse dead and dragged along by 
the others. Large standing trees were literally cut down by 
infantry fire and small trees and limbs were whipped into 
splinters. The dead in front of our lines, in some places, 
were piled two and three deep, the wounded so helpless that 
they could not crawl away, and the mangled, torn and bleeding 
forms were sights never to be forgotten on earth. 

Between nine o'clock in the evening and midnight the 
Regiment got together, in a low place in the woods, a short 
distance to the rear of our line of battle. The men had been 
scattered during the day along the Brigade, if not along the 
whole Division front. The confusion and mingling of the 
different organizations in the morning's charge had not been 
entirely repaired during the progress of the battle. While 
the firing in front had somewhat slackened after dark, it had 
not wholly ceased until after midnight. It was a dirty and 
despondent crowd of soldiers who gathered about the smoul- 
dering fires, made their coffee and recounted the experiences 
of the day. Some members of the Regiment went back to the 
field hospitals to hunt for wounded comrades, and the others 
dropped upon the wet ground and went to sleep. 

What a tired, wet, dirty, hungry crowd the Regiment was 
on the morning of the 13th of May! What a contrast between 
its appearance then and eight days before! Colonel Connor, 
Major Welch, Captains Parsons, Whitehouse and Smart, and 
Lieutenants Emery, Palmer, Pierce and Nye had been wound- 
ed. Many familiar faces were missing among the rank and 



l6o THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

file. It would be many months before the Regiment would 
again see the soldierly form of General Webb, and in the 
death of General Sedgwick, who had formerly commanded our 
(Second) Division of the Second Corps, many felt a personal 
bereavement. 

General Francis A. Walker, who served on Hancock's 
staff as Assistant Adjutant-General, in discussing the struggle 
of the enemy for the recovery of the salient, writes: "Never 
since the discovery of gunpowder had such a mass of lead been 
hurled into a space so narrow" as that covered by the day's 
operations of the Second Corps. A large oak tree was cut 
down by the bullets in front of, and just to the right of, the 
Brigade. Many of the Regiment saw the fallen tree during the 
afternoon. The stump of this tree can still be seen in the 
National Museum at Washington, where it stands with this 
inscription: "Section of an oak, about two and a half feet 
through, which stood within the Confederate intrenchments 
near Spottsylvania Court House, which was cut down by 
musket balls during the attempt to recapture the works, 
previously carried by theSecond Corps, Army of the Potomac." 

On this morning the Regiment, under the command of 
Captain Nash, advanced to the front, where it remained all day. 
The Fifth Corps occupied the right of the line, then the Sixth, 
Second and Ninth, and all crowded into the space around the 
historic "angle" and extending from the Ny river on the left 
to the Todd's Tavern road on the right, near the point where 
General Sedgwick was killed three days before. Russell's 
Division of the Sixth Corps occupied the salient. Owen's 
Brigade, under General Carroll, was put upon the skirmish line 
and pushed forward near the McCool House. The enemy had 
retired during the night to a new line of works constructed 
near what was called the Harrison house, being about one-half 
mile south of its position occupied the previous morning. 
General Carroll, who was suffering from a wound received in the 
Wilderness, was again severely wounded while urging forward 
the brigade of skirmishers which he commanded. This time 
he was wounded in the left arm, the rifle ball completely de- 
stroying the elbow. He had been Colonel of the Eighth Ohio 



BATTLE OF SPOTTSYLVAN lA l6l 

Volunteers. Spottsylvania was General Carroll's last battle. 
He was a brave officer and very popular with his men. His 
familiar figure was sadly missed by the Nineteenth Maine, al- 
though the Regiment was never under his immediate command. 
This day the Third and Fourth Divisions of the Corps, com- 
manded by Generals Birney and Mott, respectively, were con- 
solidated under the command of General Birney. Mott was 
assigned to the command of one of the Brigades. General 
Meade issued a circular on the 13th congratulating the army on 
its success in the last eight days' contest, and especially on the 
brilliant victory of the 12th at the salient. He recounted the 
surmise that the enemy had "abandoned the last intrenched 
position," but the soldiers knew that he had constructed 
another line of works, equally strong, four or five hundred 
yards in the rear of those captured by the Second Corps on 
the preceding day. 

The First and Second Brigades of our Division were ad- 
vanced in front of the captured works and the Third Brigade 
held in reserve. A strong skirmish line was advanced and 
developed the enemy's new position, in front of which were the 
Confederate skirmishers. The Regiment suffered no loss 
during the day and was relieved during the night. On the 
14th of May the Regiment was in line of battle all day. The 
batteries at, and to the right of, the Landron house opened 
fire upon the enemy in the very early morning. Between 
seven and eight o'clock a strong skirmish line from the First 
Division advanced up very near to the enemy's works and 
remained there firing all day. At five o'clock in the morning 
of May 15th, our Division, preceded by Barlow's, marched to 
the rear and to the left, passing near Army headquarters. 
These two Divisions went as far as the Fredericksburg road, 
and just at night our Division marched a portion of the way 
back towards its position in the morning, where it rested all 
night. The Regiment had a good rest on May 16th until 
nearly five o'clock in the afternoon. Then the Division 
packed up and marched to the Cousins house, which was 
outside of the picket line and several miles to the rear of the 
right of the Union line of battle. Here were the Second and 



l62 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Sixth Corps hospitals, which the Confederates had had pos- 
session of and rifled, and which the Division removed with 
teams and ambulances within the Union lines. On this day, 
General Tyler's Division of heavy artillery, from the defense of 
Washington, and the Corcoran Legion, consisting of four 
Irish regiments from New York, comprising in all about 8,000 
men, were assigned to the Second Corps. Among the heavy 
artillery regiments of this Division was the First Maine, under 
command of Colonel Daniel Chaplin. On May 17th the Regi- 
ment rested until about eleven o'clock in the evening, when it 
fell in with the Division and moved toward the right and the 
front. 

All night troops were marching up and forming in the 
vicinity of the place where our Regiment halted, and among 
the troops the Corcoran Legion was particularly noticeable 
by reason of their brilliantly colored uniforms. 

Colonel H. B. McKeen, Eighty-first Pennsylvania Volun- 
teers, was here assigned to the command of the First Brigade 
of the Second Division, and commanded the Brigade until the 
battle of Cold Harbor. 

In the early morning of May i8th, the Regiment found 
itself near the same place where it charged at daybreak May 
1 2th. The space in front of and to the right of the Landron 
house was filled with the troops of the Second Corps. The 
Sixth Corps was on the right and occupied the old works to 
the east of the salient. Barlow's Division joined the Second 
Division on the left, and the Sixth Corps on the right. The 
Division was formed for the charge with the First and Fourth 
Brigades in the front. The First was on the left and adjoining 
Barlow's Division. The Nineteenth had position on the left 
of the Brigade and was today in command of Captain Nash. 
The Fourth Brigade was made up of the Corcoran Legion and 
was placed in line on the right of the First Brigade. Owen's 
and Smyth's Brigades, the Second and Third, were formed in 
the rear in line of battalions en masse. The old Regiment 
found itself in the front line of battle and facing a serious and 
doubtful proposition. At a little after four o'clock in the 
morning, the lines of battle moved out over the works and to- 



BATTLE OF SPOTTSYLVANIA 163 

ward the old McCool house. When they came into the clear- 
ing to the north and east of that house, the enemy opened 
with shell and canister. The Confederates were posted in 
strong works, their front being completely covered by fallen 
trees and slashing. Some of the troops near the center of 
the Division were protected by thick woods in front, which 
prevented the enemy from reaching all portions of the Di- 
vision line. The enemy's fire, however, was so heavy that the 
troops made but little headway and were forced to retire. 
Many of the regiments had not fired a gun. The Corcoran 
Legion on the right, when it came to falling back, did not 
wait upon the order of their going. Owen's Brigade in the 
rear behaved so badly that General Gibbon later preferred 
charges against Owen for disobedience of orders. The Regi- 
ment lost about fifteen men in wounded and prisoners. 
Strange as it may seem, one or two men belonging to the 
Regiment were taken prisoners. Another useless and foolish 
charge had been made without accomplishing anything, 
unless it was to determine that the enemy was still there and 
able to defend his works. Neither Wright nor Burnside suc- 
ceeded in getting very near the enemy's works. General 
Humphreys speaks of the wounded of the i8th of May as 
"almost entirely of the Second Corps," so one would natu- 
rally suppose that neither Wright nor Burnside advanced very 
far that morning. The ground in some places was nearly 
covered with dead soldiers who had fallen on the 12th and 
had lain there unburied and exposed to the hot sun for six 
days. All the way from the old intrenchments to the McCool 
house were thousands of dead soldiers and many dead horses. 
The dead men were nearly all black in the face and bloated, 
and the stench that came from the battlefield made many of 
the soldiers extremely sick. It was a pitiful and hideous sight! 
About nine o'clock that evening, the Regiment started 
with the Division and marched to the rear and the left and 
went nearly the whole length of the Union line, crossed the 
Fredericksburg and Spottsylvania road and halted near 
Anderson's mill, on the south side of the Ny river. This place 
was three miles from the Court House. The Corps all as- 



164 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

sembled near this point, except the Fourth Division, and the 
Nineteenth went on picket. About six o'clock the next after- 
noon. May 19th, Ewell's Corps made an attack upon Tyler's 
Division near the Harris house on the Fredericksburg road, 
north of the Ny river and in the rear of the Union lines. 
Birney's Division was hurried off to the relief of Tyler. Con- 
siderable excitement was caused by this attack in the rear, as 
the firing could be plainly heard by the Regiment. General 
Hancock galloped off and took command of the troops in the 
engagement. It was a sharp and short fight, and Ewell was 
driven oflF. This was the first engagement of the First Maine 
Heavy Artillery and its loss was large, but it acquitted it- 
self with honor. 

It was on May 19th that the Thirty-sixth Wisconsin 
Regiment joined our Brigade. It was a large and splendid 
Regiment and its brave Colonel, Frank A. Haskell, com- 
manded the Brigade for a few hours at Cold Harbor the 
next month, where he was killed. 

The Regiment remained on picket until the evening of 
the 19th, when it was relieved and marched to the rear. A 
welcome mail was delivered, and after supper the boys sat 
around the fires reading letters from home. Here we rested 
until the evening of May 20th. 

The Union forces had now been fighting around Spottsyl- 
vania Court House for twelve days. The losses in the Regi- 
ment had been severe, as the following list will show : 

CASUALTIES AT BATTLE OF SPOTTSYLVAXL\. 
(Including Po River) May 8th to 18th, 1864. 

Major James W. Welch, wounded, May 12th; Captain Nehemiah 
Smart, Company E, wounded, May 12th; First Lieutenant George R. 
Palmer, Company I, wounded, May 10th; Second Lieutenant Henry 
W. Nye, Company C, wounded. May 12. 

Company A. 
Sergeant Leonard H. Washburn, killed, May 10th; George H. 
Hussey, killed, May 12th; Loring W. Willey, killed, May 10th; Charles 
H. Bigelow, wounded. May 12th; William Blake, wounded, May 12th; 
John Donahue, wounded, May 10th; Franklin Eastman, wounded, 
May 10th; Charles H. Groves, wounded, May 12th; Robert W. 
Groves, wounded. May 11th; Thomas J. Hurley, wounded. May 10th; 



BATTLE OF SPOTTSYLVANIA 165 

Amos R. Jones, wounded, May 12th; Stephen D. Morrill, wounded. 
May 10th; Robert Sumner, wounded. May 10th; Benjamin F. Shaw, 
wounded, May 10th; George E. Stevens, wounded. May 10th. 

Company B. 

Andrew J. Knowles, killed. May 12th; Edgar S. Batchelder, 
wounded, May 12th; Wilbur Crockett, wounded. May 12th, died 
Columbia Hospital, Washington, June 23d, 1864; Orson E. Crum- 
mett, wounded. May 12th, died, June 9th, 1864; Charles F. French, 
wounded. May 12th,; Corporal Washington Patterson, wounded, 
May 12th; Corporal Walter B. Shaw, wounded May 12th; Loran 
Waltz, wounded. May 12th; Benjamin F. Ward, wounded, May 12th. 

Company C. 

Asa Plummer, killed. May 12th; Sergeant Eugene A. Boulter, 
wounded, May 10th; Corporal Russell B. Gray, wounded. May 10th; 
Mayo Bickmore, wounded. May 18th; Reuben A. Huse, wounded, 
May 12th; Nathan D. Hoxie, wounded, May 12th; Charles Manter, 
wounded. May 12th; John G. Pierce, taken prisoner. May 12th. 

Conipany D. 

Adolph Bohnn, wounded. May 10th; George H. Day, wounded 
May 18th; Enoch HoUis, Jr., wounded. May 10th. 

Company E. 

Corporal Robert F. Staples, killed. May 12th; Thomas S. Blan- 
chard, killed. May 12th; William J. Colson, killed. May 12th; Cor- 
poral John B. Campbell, wounded, May 10th; A. J. Curtis, wounded, 
May 12th; Harvey T. Herris (or Harris), wounded. May 12th; Alpheus 
P. Morman, wounded. May 10th; Parish L. Strout, wounded. May 
12th; Corporal Fred A. Nickerson, taken prisoner. May 12th, also 
reported killed in action, May 12th. 

Company F. 

Sergeant Walter Jerald, wounded. May 12th; Samuel T. Blake, 
wounded. May 12th, died, July 5th; Michael King, wounded. May 10th; 
Addison D. Gilbert, prisoner. May 12th; Patrick Sweeney, taken 
prisoner, May 12th, died in Andersonville Prison, August 27th. 

Company G. 

Sergeant William P. Worthing, wounded. May 12th; Benjamin 
R. Marston, wounded. May 12th; William B. Small, wounded. May 
12th. 

Company H . 

Martin V. B. Dodge, killed. May 12th; Luke T. Richardson, 
killed. May 12th; Corporal H. H. Murphy, wounded, May 12th; 
Corporal John H. Pollard, wounded. May 12th, died at Finley Hos- 
pital, Washington, May 29th; Corporal James L. Small, wounded, 
May 18th; Jackson Cayiord, wounded. May 18th; Albert V. French, 
wounded. May 12th; John Huntley, wounded. May 10th; Nahum 
B. Pinkham, wounded, May 10th; George Tucker, wounded. May 
10th. 



l66 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Company I. 
John H. Dixon, killed, May 10th; John Reed, killed, May 10th; 
Sergeant George E. Holmes, wounded. May 12th, died June 15th; 
John Emerson, wounded. May 12th; Edwin S. Jacobs, wounded, 
May 10th; William H. Hall, wounded. May 10th, died in Washing- 
ton from amputation, September 5th; William H. Little, wounded, 
May 12th; Freeman G. Pierce, wounded, May 12th. 

Company K. 
Ezra L. Fowles, killed. May 9th; Philander H. Tobie, killed, 
May 12th; Corporal Lawrence J. Rourke, wounded. May 12th, died 
of wounds. May 28th; Corporal Weld Sergeant, wounded. May 
12th, and died of wounds July 6th, '64; Charles Holmes, wounded. 
May 9th; Willis M. Porter, wounded. May 12th; Josiah H. Porter, 
wounded. May 12th; James R. Wallace, wounded. May 12th. 

RECAPITULATION. 

Killed and mortally wounded - - - - - 21 

Wounded, not fatally ..-.._- 56 

Prisoners, two of whom died in captivity . . _ 5 

Total - - 82 

One of the lamentable incidents connected with the bat- 
tle of Spottsylvania was the death of General Sedgwick, He 
was killed on the morning of May 9th by a Confederate sharp- 
shooter. He had for a long time commanded our Division 
prior to the battle of Antietam where he was wounded. Gen- 
eral Sedgwick had been offered the command of the Army of 
the Potomac one or more times but his modesty prevented his 
acceptance. He was a brave, conscientious officer, beloved 
of his soldiers, and in his death the country suffered a serious 
loss. General H. G. Wright succeeded to the command of the 
Sixth Corps. 

When the army was preparing to leave the vicinity of 
Spottsylvania, the companies of the Regiment were commanded 
by the following officers, viz: Company A, Lieutenant Tucker; 
Company B, Lieutenant Hinkley; Company C, Captain 
Nash; Company D, Sergeant Lord; Company E, Sergeant 
Sawyer; Company F, Lieutenant Small; Company G, Lieu- 
tenant Farr; Company H, Lieutenant Garland; Company I, 
Lieutenant Carver, and Company K, Captain Bunker. 



BATTLE OF SPOTTSYLVANIA 167 

After Major Welch was wounded until June i8th, the 
Regiment was in command of Captains Nash, Fogler and 
Bunker. Captain Fogler returned to the Regiment about 
May 29th, and was in command only three or four days when 
he was wounded and left the Regiment. Captain Starbird 
during this time was on the staff of the General commanding 
the First Brigade of the Fourth Division. Captain Burpee and 
Lieutenants White and Page were also on detached service. 

Whatever may be said about the plan and the results of the 
Battle of Spottsylvania, there was a series of blunders on the 
part of the Union forces in getting there from the Wilderness 
battlefield. 

It has been the fashion for historians of the Civil War to 
write partisan history, to pervert facts for selfish ends. North- 
ern writers have attempted to belittle the ability of Confederate 
officers and attribute Confederate victories to accident, rather 
than to skill and bravery. Southern writers have attempted 
to exaggerate their victories and minimize their defeats. It 
is the victor who counts the dead and writes history. To the 
conquered there remains only the painful regret. Surely we 
are sufficiently far removed from those perilous days and are 
ripe enough in experience to view the events of the war without 
prejudice and to record the facts of history with due regard 
to the truth. To illustrate what 1 mean, General Grant, in 
his Memoirs, states that during the night of May 6th "Lee's 
army withdrew within their intrenchments" and during the 
next day "showed no disposition to come out of his works." ^ 
On the other hand, General Lee reported to his government 
that Grant's army had withdrawn to their intrenchments on 
the Brock road. Both of these officers stated one side of the 
truth. Neither army had any intrenchments except what had 
been hastily constructed during the battle. Pray, why should 
General Lee accommodate General Grant by coming out from 
behind his rifle pits and allow the Army of the Potomac, ex- 
ceeding in number the Army of Northern Virginia by two to 
one, to shoot them from behind the Union intrenchments on 
the Brock road? General Grant had stated before crossing the 

1 Personal Memoirs, Vol. 2, p. 202. 



l68 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Rapidan that his "objective point" would be General Lee's 
army. He had no difficulty in finding the "objective point." 
As a matter of fact, May 7th was gladly accepted by both 
armies as a day of comparative rest. 

The Confederate Army was successful in marching around 
our left flank and securing a strong position at Spottsylvania 
Court House, very much to our discomfiture. General Grant 
and other writers attribute this to an "accident." General 
Grant states, in his Memoirs, that "Lee, by accident, beat 
us to Spottsylvania. ... He ordered Longstreet's 
Corps — now commanded by Anderson — to move in the morn- 
ing (the 8th) to Spottsylvania. But the woods being on fire, 
Anderson could not go into bivouac and marched directly on 
to his destination that night. By this accident, Lee got 
possession of Spottsylvania."^ In 1879, General Anderson, 
then an old man, in a letter in which he said he had no papers 
with which to refresh his "treacherous memory," made state- 
ments which might justify the quoted comments of General 
Grant. Fortunately, however, we have some data preserved 
in the published Records of the Union and Confederate 
Armies. General Anderson's Corps was the advance guard of 
the Confederate infantry from the Wilderness to Spottsylvania. 
General Lee's order to Anderson cannot be found. The order 
of General Lee to General Ewell has been published.^ The 
order is signed by W. H. Taylor, Lee's Assistant Adjutant- 
General, and is dated May 7th, 1864, 7 p. m. It is directed to 
Lieutenant-General Ewell, Commanding Corps, and reads as 
follows: "General Lee directs me to say that he has instructed 
General Anderson to put Longstreet's Corps in motion for 
Spottsylvania Court House as soon as he can withdraw it from 
Us present position.^ He will proceed either by Todd's Tavern 
or Shady Grove Church, as circumstances may determine. 
The General desires you to be prepared to follow with your 
command," etc. 

Unfortunately, General Anderson made no report covering 
this period. General Pendleton, the Confederate Chief of 

1 Volume 2, page 211. 

2 Volume 36: Part 2, page 968. 

3 The italics are ours. 



BATTLE OF SPOTTSYLVANIA 1 69 

Artillery, in his report states that the artillery of the First 
Corps (Anderson's) received orders to march to Spottsylvania 
the night of May 7th. So General Lee beating us to Spottsyl- 
vania would appear to have been the result of design, rather 
than an accident. 

General Badeau and other writers from our side of the 
controversy have declared that Lee had the shorter route to 
Spottsylvania Court House. The shortest road from the 
Wilderness battlefield to Spottsylvania Court House is by the 
Brock road south to Todd's Tavern, and following the same 
road from Todd's southeasterly to the Court House. The Union 
Army held the Brock road on the night of May 7th as far as 
Todd's Tavern. General Humphreys, one of the most careful 
writers of that period, is honest enough to admit in his history 
of this campaign that the left of Hancock's Corps was two or 
three miles nearer the Court House than the right of Longstreet's 
Corps by the shortest route that the Corps could take. 

The writer has been in correspondence with General 
E. M. Law, now residing in Florida, who commanded a Brigade, 
and temporarily a division in Longstreet's Corps. Under 
date of June 29th, 1904, General Law wrote as follows: 

"We always regarded May 7th as a rest day. We were 
ready to continue the fight if you should attack, but it seemed 
to be a waiting game to see what the other side would do. 
General Grant's statement that General Lee showed no dis- 
position to come out of his works on that day is manifestly an 
unfair statement, if he means anything more than that both 
armies were perfectly willing to rest on May 7th behind their 
hastily constructed works. General Anderson, commanding 
Longstreet's corps, was ordered late in the afternoon of May 
7th by General Lee to put his corps in motion for the Spottsyl- 
vania Court House as soon as he could withdraw it from its 
position. 1 think we started about ten p. m. The shortest 
line was by the Brock road, which your troops held. We had 
the longer route. We marched by Corbin's bridge, on Shady 
Grove road. When we reached the vicinity of Spottsylvania, 
we found General Fitz Lee being forced back by the Federal 
cavalry, supported by the infantry. We placed ourselves 



170 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

squarely across the track and from that point the Hnes around 
Spottsylvania developed." 

The writer regards this statement of General Law as an 
absolutely fair one. 

Now what was the reason that General Meade's plans were 
thwarted? On May 7th, at half-past six o'clock in the morn- 
ing, General Grant issued an order to General Meade to make 
preparations during the day for a night march of the army. One 
Corps was to take a position at Spottsylvania Court House, and 
one Corps at Mr. Alsop's house, about half way between the 
other two Corps. He merely suggested to General Meade 
that Warren should have the advance and that Hancock should 
follow. General Burnside was to move to Piney Branch church 
within supporting distance of the other Corps. At three 
o'clock of the same afternoon General Meade issued his orders 
to General Sheridan and the different Corps commanders, and 
the start was to be made at half-past eight o'clock by General 
Warren down the Brock road, and his destination was the 
Court House. General Sedgwick was to march at the same 
hour for his position near Alsop's, by way of Chancellorsville. 
General Hancock was to follow closely Warren's Corps upon 
the Brock road, and take a position at Todd's Tavern. Gen- 
eral Sheridan was to keep the roads open and advise the Corps 
commanders of the approach of the enemy. He had a copy of 
General Meade's order. General Meade reached Todd's 
Tavern in company with General Grant at midnight. They 
found Gregg's Cavalry Division there, and General Merritt was 
a little beyond Todd's in the road to Spottsylvania. Neither 
Gregg nor Merritt had received any orders from General Sheri- 
dan. At one o'clock in the morning of May 8th, General Meade 
issued his orders for General Merritt to push his command on 
beyond Spottsylvania Court House, and for Gregg to move 
to the vicinity of Corbin's bridge and there to watch in the 
direction of Parker's store, over which road the Confederates 
would have to march to reach the Court House. General 
Sheridan was notified by some one of these orders issued by 
General Meade. When General Merritt started out to execute 
General Meade's orders he found himself opposed on the Brock 



I 



BATTLE OF SPOTTTSYLVANIA I7I 

road by the Confederate cavalry under General Fitzhugh Lee. 
General Gregg in attempting to reach Corbin's bridge also met 
with opposition, for the Confederate infantry were hurrying 
along by Corbin's bridge and on the Shady Grove road, hav- 
ing anticipated the movements of the Army of the Potomac. 

General Sheridan complains in his Memoirs that affairs 
would not have turned out as they did, had not General Meade 
countermanded his orders to Gregg and Merritt. According 
to General Sheridan's own admissions, his orders to Gregg and 
Merritt were not issued until the early morning of May 8th, and 
in those orders he directed Gregg to move at daylight and cross 
the Po River at Corbin's bridge, and General Merritt to move 
down the Brock road at daylight. When we remember that 
at daylight on the morning of May 8th, Anderson's Corps had 
passed Corbin's bridge and was well on its way to Spottsyl- 
vania, and that Merritt moving three hours earlier than Sheri- 
dan had ordered him to move, and over the same road, was un- 
able to make much headway until the head of Warren's Corps 
appeared, it does not seem that General Sheridan either ap- 
preciated the situation then or was willing to acknowledge 
his mistake afterwards. General Humphreys candid and 
scholarly review of this controversy is commended to the 
consideration of persons who desire to get at the facts of the 
case,^ 

The crossing of the Po on May 9th by the Second Corps in 
its movement upon the left flank and rear of the Confederate 
Army was a brilliant and strategic move. But the wisdom of 
that movement seems very doubtful, considering the fact that 
as soon as the Second Corps seemed to be successful, two of the 
Divisions were hastily withdrawn across the Po and carried to 
the left to make useless charges against the Confederate works, 
leaving the brave Barlow with his Division south of the Po to 
meet the onslaughts of Heth's Division of infantry. 

Lieutenant-General Grant, when he took command of the 
Armies of the United States, and made his headquarters with 
the Army of the Potomac, did not contemplate attending 
to the details of the military movements. As a rule, he in- 

1 The Virginia Campaign of '64 and '65, pp. 67 to 70. 



172 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

dicated to General Meade, in general terms, what he desired, 
and that officer attended to the details of the operation. 
Through General Grant's orders, the various armies were in- 
tended to move like clock-work. General Sherman was to 
advance from Chattanooga, the same day that the Army of the 
Potomac crossed the Rapidan. Orders were also issued to 
General Crook in West Virginia, General Sigel in the Valley, 
General Banks on the lower Mississippi, General Steele on 
the Red river and General Butler, commanding on the James 
river. It was intended that the movements of all these 
armies should be as nearly simultaneous as possible. Men 
everywhere acknowledge the comprehensive grasp and the ex- 
ecutive ability displayed by General Grant from thedayhetook 
command of the armies of the Union. No one would detract 
from the world-wide fame and honor so justly his due. 
Whether the foregoing criticisms on the movements of the 
Army of the Potomac during May, 1864, are just, the impartial 
student and historian of the future must determine. 

On May 20th, an event took place which those who 
witnessed it will never forget. A young soldier of Company 
K, Nineteenth Massachusetts, a regiment belonging to our 
Brigade, was shot to death, pursuant to the sentence of a 
general court-martial. This young man, when twenty-one 
years of age, enlisted from Boston in this regiment and there- 
after deserted and joined another regiment. He was appre- 
hended, tried and sentenced by a general court-martial, but, 
upon the urgent solicitation of his mother, he was pardoned by 
the President. On the 17th of May a circular order had been 
issued from Corps headquarters, requiring the summary trial 
and punishment of stragglers. While this order provided 
that testimony should be taken, it further directed that "no 
record need be kept of it." This soldier was charged with having 
deserted "his post and the colors of his regiment" at the Wilder- 
ness and also. May loth, on the Po river. He was acquitted 
by the court of the charge of cowardice in the Wilderness, but 
found guilty of the charge on the Po river. This meant that 
the soldier's courage failed him and that he did not advance 
with his regiment. General Meade approved the sentence of 



BATTLE OF SPOTTSYLVANIA 1 73 

death and ordered that it be carried into effect "in the presence 
of so much of the Division to which the prisoner belongs as can 
be properly assembled." The soldiers of the Nineteenth Maine 
were spared the pain of witnessing this soldier's death. Colonel 
Charles H. Banes, the Assistant Adjutant-General of our 
Brigade, thus describes the scene and criticizes the wisdom of 
the proceeding: 

"The behavior of this prisoner at his death-scene seemed to give 
a denial to the specifications against him. He walked unsupported 
in front of the firing party to the place appointed for the execution, 
and stood with his back to the grave and his face to the provost guard 
When the order to fire was given, he exclaimed, Oh, my poor mother!' 
and fell, an example of military severity. 

"Whether the effect of an execution for an alleged physical or 
moral weakness of this character is beneficial to the service, or at least 
is necessary to the preservation of discipline, is a disputed point. 
A soldier may act with questionable courage on one occasion and 
redeem himself on another. While there are crimes in the army that 
appear to merit death, the failure to perform duties from want of 
courage, however detestable the offense, is one that could be held up 
to scorn very effectually by the continued existence of the culprit in 
some position of disgrace, which would. at the same time give the 
offender an opportunity to recover his reputation on some future 
occasion." 



174 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 



CHAPTER IX. 



ON THE NORTH ANNA. 

The Second Corps started at two o'clock on the evening of 
May 20th for another movement by the left flank, General 
Barlow's Division leading, followed by Gibbon's Division. 
General Torbert with a small force of cavalry had the advance. 
Most of the cavalry under the command of General Sheridan 
was absent from the army, now on a raid toward Richmond. 
The Corps moved out about three miles near Massaponax 
church, and there waited an hour for the cavalry to get off. The 
men of the Regiment were supposed to have each fifty rounds 
of ammunition. Many of the men threw away all cartridges ex- 
cept what could be carried in their cartridge boxes, but they 
did not advertise it. As one of the boy's expressed it, "When 
I fire all the cartridges my cartridge box will hold, I shall not want 
any more; or if I should want more, I can borrow them from the 
dead around me." We reached Guiney's station in the early 
morning, marching by the old Chandler house, pointed out to 
the boys by the colored people as the place where "Stonewall" 
Jackson died the year before. Everybody seemed to agree that 
we were having an easier time because Jackson was dead. 
The line of march for the troops crossed the Fredericksburg and 
Richmond railway, and the Regiment hurried to Guiney's and 
thence south on the east side of the railroad to BowHng Green 
and Milford. Bowling Green, reached before noon of May 21st, 
was quite a large village. The stores were all closed and mostly 
empty, and the houses were all in a somewhat dilapidated 
condition. The soldiers broke open some of the stores and 
obtained a supply of tobacco, which they needed, and some other 
things which they did not need. The jail was broken open be- 
fore our Regiment arrived, and a negro living there informed us 
that two prisoners, "a colored gentleman and a white man," 
had been released. The station at Guiney's had been burned 



ON THE NORTH ANNA 



175 



by the Union cavalry several days before, and at Bowling 
Green and at Milford the cavalry had left evidences of their 
visit. At Milford, a pretty little village, a train of cars had 
been intercepted and the mail intended for General Lee's Army 
was scattered around on the street. There was some fighting 
at Milford by General Torbert, but he had driven the enemy out 
across the Mattapony river, and prevented them from de- 
stroying the bridge. 

One of General Hancock's orderlies was captured between 
Guiney's Station and Milford while carrying back a dispatch 
to General Meade. Around Milford there was a good country, 
with comfortable and commodious residences. The grain was 
up and looking well, and the corn fields showed the corn just 
coming out of the ground. There were very few w^hite men 
about. 

The Second Corps crossed back over the railroad near 
Milford station and marched south a short distance, and then 
crossed the Mattapony river. After following a narrow, 
crooked road some distance south, we went into position a 
little more than a mile west of the river, facing west toward 
the Telegraph road over which Ewell's Corps of Confederates 
was hastening south. This was a very hard day's march for 
the Regiment on account of the dust and heat, the distance 
being between twenty and twenty-five miles. The men went 
to work with a will and in an incredibly short space of time 
had constructed very strong earthworks. Barlow's Division 
was on the right of our line, Tyler's Division at the left. Gib- 
bon's in the center, with Birney in reserve. During the night 
there was an alarm caused by some of the new troops imagin- 
ing that the enemy was attacking them. Private Solomon 
O. Pease of Company E was taken prisoner on this date, and 
died while a prisoner of war. 

On the next day. May 22nd, the Regiment went to the 
left of the Brigade and extended the breastworks in that direc- 
tion, connecting on the left with the Eighth New York Heavy 
Artillery. About eight o'clock in the morning of May 23rd 
the soldiers fell into line again and left the intrenchments which 
they had been constructing with so much pains and started 



176 THE NINETEHNTH MAINE REGIMENT 

south, General Birney's Division leading, followed by the 
Fourth Division, and then the Second, and the First Brigade 
brought up the rear. The orders promulgated would have 
carried the Second Corps to a point where the Telegraph road 
crosses the North Anna river. During the forenoon we crossed 
a small stream bearing the ambigu(.)us name of " Pole Cat 
Creek." General Grant rode a part of the day with General 
1 lancock at the head of the Second Corps. A little before noon 
the column reached Chesterfield. General lorbert had the 
advance and was skirmishing with General Rosser's Confeder- 
ate cavalrv. 1 here is a creek running southeasterly and 
emptying into the North Anna a short distance west of the 
point where the Fredericksburg and Richmond railroad crosses 
that river. It is a hilly country both sides of the creek, and 
when the Corps reached the vicinity of the creek everybody 
thought it was the river. General Hancock reported to 
General Meade that his Corps had reached the North Anna at 
half-past two and his skirmishers had crossed. We could 
hear the whistles of the locomotives on the Virginia Central 
railroad, and some of the boys suggested that we might cap- 
ture the train and start for Maine. The Second Division 
crossed to the east side of the railroad, and held the extreme 
left flank of the Union line. Some men of the Regiment were 
wounded in the afternoon from artillery firing from the south 
side of the North Anna river. The country was open along 
the entire length of the Corps line just north of the river and 
both sides improved the opportunity for artillery practice. 
The enemy exploded a shell among the troops just to the left 
and rear of the Nineteenth, which did fearful execution. The 
Confederates held the railroad bridge during the night and 
burned their end of it, the blaze lasting an hour. Further to 
the right General Birney drove the enemy across the river and 
prevented their burning the bridge in front of his Division. 
This was an ordinary country bridge known as "Chesterfield 
bridge," but sometimes erroneouslv called "Taylor's bridge," 
constructed of plank, with posts on each side, and having a 
top rail of one board six or eight inches wide. There is a place 
called "Tavlorsville" a few miles south of this river, on the river 



ON THE NORTH ANNA 1 77 

road. The bridge was from one hundred to one hundred and 
fifty feet long. Captain Sjxiulding stated in his report that 
during the night of May 23rd, the Regiment constructed earth- 
works near "Taylor's bridge." He was not present at this 
time and received his information from others. 

On the morning of May 24th a foot bridge was constructed 
south of the railroad bridge by the skirmishers in front of 
Gibbon's Division, and the skirmish line was pushed to the 
south side of the river. Two pontoon bridges were soon laid 
and Smyth's Brigade crossed about eight o'clock, quickly 
followed by the other Brigades of the Division. An hour later 
Birney's Brigades began crossing on the Chesterfield bridge 
above described. The Regiment, with the other troops, soon 
built a new line of works a short distance from the river. 
Smyth's Third Brigade was soon advanced in line of battle and 
drove the enemy back into the edge of the woods, where he 
was attacked with great fierceness by the enemy. The Nine- 
teenth Maine was called for about four o'clock in the afternoon 
to help out Smyth's Brigade, and later the Fifteenth and 
Nineteenth Massachusetts were ordered to report to General 
Smyth, The Regiment hurried to the left of the line in the 
direction of a large house called the Doswell house. There was 
an old barn on the left, considerably nearer the river than the 
house, and an old chimney stood some distance to the right 
of the Regiment. The Aide who conducted the Regiment in its 
hurried march seemed excited and did not know just where we 
were wanted. The firing in front was pretty heavy and the 
shells were flying over our heads. The batteries on our side 
could not do anything to help, owing to the uneven surface of 
the ground. The frightened Aide pointed where he thought 
the Regiment should make its sacrifice, and disappeared from 
sight. The Nineteenth charged up the steep hill and came out 
on a plain in front of the Confederate works in the edge of some 
woods. There were no troops for some distance to the right 
of the Regiment, and none could be seen to the left. The 
enemy's works were not more than twenty rods away, and as 
soon as the Regiment appeared at the top of the hill, the men 
faced a storm of shot and shell, in the face of which n« line •( 



178 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

battle could live long. Here the Regiment lost heavily and 
fell back over the brow of the hill. This was just after sunset. 
Lieutenant O. R. Small and the writer crept up to the top of 
the hill and endeavored to get some of the helpless wounded 
to the rear and out of danger, but the enemy kept up such a 
continuous fire that nothing was accomplished. General 
Smyth in his report of this battle acknowledged the assistance 
rendered by the Nineteenth Maine. The night before the 
Second Corps crossed the North Anna, Warren, who had reach- 
ed the river shortly before Hancock, crossed without serious 
opposition, about three miles above the railroad bridge at 
Jericho Mills. The Sixth Corps crossed the river, at the same 
place that Warren crossed, to reinforce the Fifth Corps. Burn- 
side's Ninth Corps, which on this day, May 24th, was formally 
incorporated in the Army of the Potomac, held the north bank 
of the river between the two crossing places. Stevenson's 
Division of this Corps was afterwards thrown across the river 
to reinforce the Union right wing, while Potter's Division was 
sent to Hancock. 

There was a heavy thunder shower in the afternoon, fol- 
lowed by another the next day. There was also a rain storm in 
the forenoon of May 26th. These were the first rains we had 
had since May 13th, when in front of the bloody angle at Spott- 
sylvania. 

The Regiment fell back and constructed rifle pits during 
the night, and the next forenoon. May 25th, rejoined the 
Brigade further to the right of the Union line and built another 
line of works. Sergeant-Major William A. Wood was taken 
prisoner May 24th, while inspecting the picket line in the woods. 
He was a splendid young fellow from Bowdoinham, not yet 
twenty-one years old, and was liked by everybody in the Regi- 
ment. He spent many months in Andersonville prison and 
died recently at his old home from the result of an accident. 

Strenuous efforts were made by General Grant to unite 
south of the river the widely separated flanks of his army, but 
without avail. Lee's Army held the south bank of the North 
Anna for nearly a mile, with both of his flanks thrown back and 
resting on natural obstructions. His right flank ran back 



ON THE NORTH ANNA 1 79 

nearly due south, covering Hanover junction, and rested on an 
impenetrable marsh known as 'Sexton's Swamp," while his 
left flank running southwesterly rested on Little river. After 
the successful passage of the river by the Union Army, General 
Lee thrust the center of his army between the two wings of 
the Army of the Potomac, putting General Grant at a great 
disadvantage, and compelling him, when he desired to reinforce 
either wing, to make a double passage of the river. General 
Grant in his report simply states that, "finding the enemy's 
position on the North Anna stronger than either of his previous 
ones, I withdrew on the night of the 26th to the north bank of 
the North Anna." 

One would naturally have supposed that General Lee 
would have improved this opportunity to strike the Army of 
the Potomac a stunning blow. It seems to the writer now, after 
the lapse of many years, that General Lee never had a better 
chance to inflict terrible punishment on his antagonist than on 
the North Anna. We have the authority of General Fitzhugh 
Lee, in his excellent biography of General R. E. Lee, that it 
was the intention of the Confederate leader to assume the 
offensive and attack the Union Army here, but a severe illness, 
confining him to his tent, alone prevented the carrying out of 
his purpose. 

The army recrossed the river without being molested, on the 
evening of May 26th, and the Sixth Corps led the way for another 
flanking movement to the left and down the Pamunkey river. 

It may assist the reader somewhat to state that the 
Mat, Ta, Po, and Ny rivers unite to form the Mattapony 
river. The Pamunkey is formed by the confluence of the 
North and South Anna; and the Pamunkey in turn uniting 
with the Mattapony forms the York, which empties into 
Chesapeake Bay. 

The loss in the Second Corps on the North Anna in killed, 
wounded and missing was about six hundred. How the 
Regiment fared in this engagement may be learned from the 
following statement: 



l8o THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

CASUALTIES ON THE NORTH ANNA. 
May 23rd-26th 1864. 
Sergeant- Major William A. Wood, prisoner, May 24th; First 
Lieutenant Loring Farr, Company G, wounded. May 23rd. 

Company A. 
Levander Sawtelle, wounded. May 24th. 

Company B. 
Silas Dean, killed. May 24th; Moses Larrabee, prisoner. May 24th. 

Company C. 
Oliver B. Bessey, wounded. May 24th. 

Company D. 
Corporal Prescott D. Hinds, killed. May 24th; Augustus Coffin, 
killed. May 24th; Sergeant Charles F. Cooper, wounded. May 24th; 
Ford S. Hawkins, wounded. May 24th; Benjamin B. Siegars, wounded, 
May 24th. 

Company E. 
Benjamin F. Trefethen, killed. May 24th; Corporal James H. 
Shaw, wounded, May 24th, died in general hospital, June 8th, 1864; 
John Hartshorn, wounded. May 24th. 

Company F. 
Andrew J. Berry, killed. May 24th; Edward P. White, wounded, 
May 24th. 

Company H. 
Joseph W. Gridley, wounded. May 24th; Charles B. Whitney, 
mortally wounded. May 24th (Muster Out Roll reports that he died in 
Vermont, June 17th, of wounds received at Taylor's bridge, June 
12th, 1864). 

Company K. 
Elijah C. Butler, killed. May 24th; Newell B. Tilton, killed, 
May 24th; Samuel Mereen, wounded. May 24th. 

RECAPITULATION. 

Killed and mortally wounded ...... 9 

Wounded, not fatally - - - -- - - - 10 

Prisoners ---------- 2 

Total - - '~- 2I 

At about the time of the battle on the North Anna, Colonel 
Cunningham returned to the Regiment for a short time. After 
the battle at that place, he inquired particularly for Corporal 
Prescott D. Hinds of Company D. When he was informed that 
Corporal Hinds had just been killed in the engagement, he 
appeared very much affected and said: "I am very sorry; I 
knew his people well. His father was a leading citizen in our 
locality." This incident is furnished by George S. Perry 
of Company F. 



ON THE NORTH ANNA lb I 

Dr. J. Q. A. Hawes, Surgeon of the Nineteenth, in a pubUc 
letter from Fredericksburg, under date of May 25th, 1864, 
makes the following statement as to our losses : 

"In my own regiment, the Nineteenth, our number is now reduced 
to near one hundred muskets. In the terrible fight on the sixth instant 
the Nineteenth was badly cut up. Colonel Connor was badly wounded, 
in the left thigh. He is now at Washington, and is quite as comfortable 
as can be expected. Major Welch, from Augusta, received a flesh wound 
in the thigh. I hear that one-half of our Captains are wounded, and 
a larger portion of the Lieutenants. Of the enlisted men I expect to 
find merely a small squad as a representative, a few weeks since, of a 
noble Regiment. Surely this is sad to us here, but sadder to the dear 
friends at home. Our soldiers have fought bravely, manfully, and to 
the last, and those who are now called to mourn the loss of their friends, 
have no remorse of their conscience, that the defenders of their country 
from the Pine Tree State did not do their duty on the field of battle. 



l82 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 



CHAPTER X. 

BATTLES OF TOTOPOTOMOY AND COLD HARBOR. 

^"' The Regiment started back across the North Anna, with the 
Corps, at eleven o'clock at night. May 26th, and lay down to 
rest near the railroad some distance north of the river, at half- 
past one on the morning of May 27th. A detail had been made 
from the Corps, which on the night of the 26th and the morning 
of the 27th had been destroying the railroad back toward Mil- 
ford. Fires were built of the cross-ties and other wood, and the 
rails were pried up; the middle of the rails were placed over the 
fires until they were red hot, when they were twisted around 
trees and stumps. On the night of the 26th, a demonstration 
having been made by some of our cavalry above our extreme 
right to deceive the enemy, the larger portion of the cavalry, 
closely followed by the Sixth Corps, started for Hanovertown 
on the Pamunkey. General Sheridan had returned from his 
cavalry raid on the 24th. At ten o'clock in the morning of the 
27th, the Second Corps was off, and at ten o'clock that night 
the Regiment lay down on the ground about three miles from 
the Pamunkey, and nearly thirty miles from the starting point. 
Those who participated in that march, after the lapse of more 
than forty years, will recall that long, hot, dusty and tiresome 
march. It was through a region of country that had not been 
devastated by the tread of hostile armies, except occasional 
cavalry raids. The visible supply of fowls and pigs on the 
north side of the Pamunkey was greatly reduced during that day, 
and at many a farm house reluctant hands passed out from 
their scanty supply, food to the hungry soldiers. How good 
that food tasted! When the men inquired how far it was to 
Richmond, the spiteful reply would be, given by the women, in 
their peculiar Southern dialect, "It is so far you will never get 
there!" On this march the Second Corps followed the route of 
the Sixth and kept near the North Anna and later the Pamun- 



TOTOPOTOMOY AND COLD HARBOR 183 

key. The Fifth and Ninth Corps kept on roads further to the 
east and had a longer distance to march. The resting place of 
the Regiment for the night of the 27th of May was opposite a 
point on the Pamunkey, some four miles above Hanovertown. 
We were up and off at six o'clock on the morning of May 28th, 
and with the Corps crossed the Pamunkey river on a pontoon 
bridge at Huntley's, opposite the Nelson farm, a little before 
noon. The Second Corps was preceded by Rickett's Division of 
the Sixth, at the crossing. The Regiment marched nearly two 
miles west of the river and took its position with the Corps on 
elevated ground and began building intrenchments. The 
position of the Corps was between the Sixth Corps on the right 
and the Fifth on the left, and the right of our Corps was near a 
farm house said to belong to a man named Pollard. 

The point where the Regiment crossed the Pamunkey is 
about eighteen miles from Richmond. There is a tolerably 
direct road from Hanovertown to Richmond, passing through 
Hawes Shop, Hundley's Corner, Bethesda Church, and Mechan- 
icsville, crossing the Chickahominy on the Mechanicsville 
bridge. This road is called the Old Church road. The Toto- 
potomoy and Chickahominy are lined upon both sides with a 
broad expanse of low, swampy lands and generally covered with 
timber and almost impassable thickets. In some places these 
two rivers are not more than six or seven miles apart. The 
Totopotomoy empties into the Pamunkey a couple of miles be- 
low Hanovertown, and the Chickahominy runs some four miles 
east of Richmond, and unites with the James some distance 
below Charles City Court House. The army had now come into 
a region of country where it was most difficult to manoeuvre on 
account of the low, wet ground bordering on the rivers and 
creeks and their many tributaries running in all directions. 

The Nineteenth remained practically in the position oc- 
cupied during the night of the 28th until about noon of Sunday, 
the 29th of May, which was a beautiful day. Then we advanced 
a short distance and built another line of works. Evidences of 
a cavalry fight at Hawes Shop were seen in widely scattered 
dead horses and slight earthworks. At noon the First Division 
under General Barlow was taken out of the Second Corps line, 



184 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

and advanced to the west in the direction of theTotopotomoy. 
On the morning of May 30th the Regiment, with the Division, 
advanced about five miles in a southwesterly direction and 
built another strong line of works. The enemy's sharpshooters 
were very active and the men of the Regiment were kept pretty 
near the ground. Barlow's Division joined us on the right. 
Gibbon's Division was all on the left of the Old Church road, 
while Barlow's Division was on the right. There was a signal 
station all day on the Skelton house, not far from the right of 
the Regiment. In the afternoon the house was riddled with 
shot and shell by the enemy, but the signal station flag was kept 
in motion all the afternoon. The artillery firing was very 
brisk. Mortars were here first used from our side. The music of 
the Witworth gun was often wafted to us by the enemy. We 
received a mail at night and drew three days' rations, making 
five days' supply the men were supposed to have. Two men 
in the Regiment were wounded this day, and a large detail 
from the Regiment was sent on the skirmish line for the night. 
The Fifth Corps on the left had crossed the Totopotomoy and 
was pressing on towards Bethesda Church. Burnside was in 
reserve. At half-past six in the afternoon of the 30th, heavy 
firing, especially of the infantry, was heard on our left along 
Warren's lines, and at seven o'clock p. m. orders came to 
Hancock to attack in order to relieve the pressure in Warren's 
front. The Totopotomoy in this locality was three or four feet 
deep and in places not more than fifteen or twenty feet wide. 
When the order came to attack, the skirmish line was advanced 
to the foot of the hill on the other side of the creek. The top of 
the hill was held by the enemy occupying rifle pits. Before 
anything more was done orders were received not to advance 
any further. Barlow's Division was heard, heavily engaged on 
the right. Two of our men were reported wounded during the 
day. The Regiment had been under constant fire all day from 
the sharpshooters. A welcome mail was distributed in the 
Regiment about dark. Early in the evening white rockets 
were thrown up by the enemy as signals, the import of which the 
men wished they understood. The entire Regiment spent all 
night on the skirmish line across Totopotomoy creek, it had 



TOTOPOTOMOY AND COLD HARBOR 1 85 

been a hot, wearisome day, and there was some grumbling at 
the prospect for the night; but some one had to do the work, 
and the Nineteenth had been exempt from skirmish duty during 
the day. A comparatively quiet night was passed by the Regi- 
ment although the early hours were spent in cautious fear. 

"Intoxicated by the drugs of sleep, my eyes are heavy and yet strict 

vigils keep; 
Imagination fills my drowsy brain with scenes of battle, fields of 

maiined and slain; 
The stumps and bushes into phantoms grow, and shadows shape 

themselves into the foe." 

The Eighth New York Heavy Artillery and the Corcoran 
Legion during the last days of May were united to form a new 
Brigade, the Fourth in our Division, commanded by General 
Tyler. 

On the morning of May 3 ist, the First and Second Brigades 
of the Division, preceded by a strong skirmish line, advanced 
to the top of the hill on the southwesterly side of the Totopoto- 
moy, and about eleven o'clock in the forenoon charged, but the 
enemy's artillery opened with such effect that the line fell back 
a short distance and threw up earthworks. Colonel McKeen 
was in command of our Brigade. The rifle pits of the enemy's 
skirmish line were captured and held. Owen's Brigade, down 
near the left of our Regiment, was just west of the road leading 
from the position held by the Union troops to Cold Harbor, and 
\yas near a farm house, owned by a man by the name of Jones, 
and some distance to the left from the Skelton house, where the 
signal station had been established. The Cold Harbor road 
crossed the creek a little south of the Jones house. The Third 
Brigade of our Division, under the command of Colonel Smyth, 
was supporting our Brigade, and about two o'clock in the after- 
noon crossed the Totopotomoy and massed in our rear. There 
was a swamp to the left and in front of the Division, and the 
enemy had a battery of five or six guns in front and a little to 
the right of our Division, which swept the ground between the 
lines with shell and canister. Repeated orders were sent to 
the Regiment to press forward the skirmishers and line of battle. 

We were under constant fire all of June ist. The day was 
very hot, as had been the day before, and it was a long time 



l86 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

between sunrise and sunset. Frequent orders came to get 
ready to charge. The men were short of rations and cross. 
Nearly twenty wagons belonging to the Corps had been captured 
near the White House, the new base of supplies. About five 
o'clock in the afternoon a charge was made on the enemy, but 
as usual it was unsuccessful. When dark our Brigade was 
relieved by the regiments of Smyth's Third Brigade, and 
marched to the rear, recrossing the creek, and after some halts 
being made, marched back by the Jones house and nearly back 
to Hawes Shop, and then struck south on our way to Cold 
Harbor. All night long in the heat and dust the Regiment 
plodded on, frequently halting, and then turning to the right 
and again to the left, without seeming to make much progress. 
A Captain Paine, sent to us by Meade, was to conduct the Corps 
from the vicinity of Hawes Shop to Cold Harbor. He was 
not a good guide, because he did not know the way; hence 
the frequent halts and the unsatisfactory progress. The 
Second Division, leading the way, was followed by the First and 
then the Third. The sick and wounded were all sent to the 
White House during the afternoon of June ist. 

There are numerous little incidents connected with every 
battle, the relation of which goes to complete its history, just as 
the faint tint, or light touch here and there, form the finishing 
touches to the artist's picture on the canvas. On the after- 
noon of June I St, and just before Captain Fogler, who was in 
command of the Regiment, was wounded, a forward movement 
was ordered. Our Regiment was joined on the left by the 
Fifty-ninth New York. The ground was uneven and partly 
covered with trees, and as the troops advanced they ascended 
quite a hill. The left of the Nineteenth and the right of the 
Fifty-ninth were intermingled, and a commissioned officer of 
the New York Regiment, evidently thinking one of the recruits 
of the Nineteenth was lagging too far behind, struck him with 
the side of his sword. Captain Fogler saw the act. His face 
was blazing with indignation as he made toward the New York 
Irishman wearing the shoulder straps. I had never seen 
him mad before. He informed the Fifty-ninth officer, if 
he ever undertook to meddle with another man of the Nine- 




William H. Fogler, Captain Co. D. 



TOTOPOTOMOY AND COLD HARBOR 187 

teenth Maine, while he was in command, he would run him 
through. The language he used was quite emphatic, and if 
Captain Fogler were not now dead, and were it not that our 
memories are so treacherous, I should say that he swore. 
The officer sneaked off toward the left as though he believed 
our gallant commander was a man of his word. In the judg- 
ment of the writer the old Nineteenth never had a better 
officer than Captain Fogler. Long after the war, he served 
the State of Maine as one of the judges of its highest court 
until his death, and there, as in the army, he was honored and 
beloved. 

CASUALTIES, BATTLE OF TOTOPOTOMOY 
May 28th to June 1st, 1864 

Captain William H. Fogler, Company D, commanding regiment, 
wounded June 1st. 

Company A. 
William Cotter, wounded, June 1st. 

Company B. 
Sergeant Benjamin S. Crooker, wounded. May 31st; William H. 
Churchill, wounded. May 31st; George W. Dwinell, wounded, May 31st; 
Charles H. Prescott, wounded, and died May 17th, 1865. 

Company E. 
Nathan S. Winslow, Prisoner, died Andersonville, Aug. 13, '64. 

Company F. 
Rufus S. Maxwell, wounded, June 1st. 

Company K. 
Peter Lee, killed, June 1st; Leroy Farrar, wounded, June 1st. 

In the intense heat, and through suffocating clouds of dust, 
the trying march from Totopotomoy to Cold Harbor took all 
night, and the Regiment stacked arms at the latter place be- 
tween six and seven o'clock in the morning of June 2nd. 

The rear of the Corps did not arrive until in the afternoon. 
Our Regiment, being near the head of the column, had the most 
of the day for rest. We occupied, for the greater part of the 
day, breastworks which had been constructed a day or two be- 
fore by the Sixth Corps. The Sixth Corps had been drawn to 
the right in line of battle and its left connected with the Second 
Corps. Orders had been issued for an attack of the enemy's 
works at five o'clock in the afternoon of June 2nd. Owing to 
the delay in getting into position, and the condition of the troops 
that brought up the rear of the Second Corps, on the march 



loo THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

from Totopotomoy, the attack was postponed until 4:30 in the 
morning of June 3rd. The troops of the army were arranged for 
the coming battle in the following order: Wilson's Cavalry 
held the ground from near the Pamunkey river to the vicinity 
of Bethesda Church; General Warren, with the Fifth Corps, 
stretched for a distance of some three miles from the left of 
Wilson's cavalry to the neighborhood of Beulah Church, his 
line being protected for part of the distance by swamps; Burn- 
side's Ninth Corps formed the rear, as a support to the right 
of Warren's line; the Eighteenth Corps, under General W. F. 
Smith, connected with Warren's left, and then came the Sixth 
Corps, under General Wright. General Hancock, with the Second 
Corps, held the extreme left, and his line extended nearly to the 
Chickahominy river. The space between Hancock's left and 
the river was occupied by cavalry pickets. Our Division, under 
General Gibbon, held the right of the Second Corps, while 
General Barlow's First Division held the left. General Birney's 
Division being held in reserve. There was no massing of troops 
to attack a particular point in the breastworks. There were no 
reserves anywhere, except Birney on the left and Burnside on 
the right. Birney was never ordered forward to the support of 
the other two struggling Divisions of the Corps. A little after 
ten o'clock in the morning he was sent to the right, to help out 
General Warren. Direct assaults on well intrenched lines 
rarely proved successful during the war. In no instance during 
the campaign had the Union troops been successful in assaulting 
breastworks, except the partial success of General Upton's 
charge on May loth, and the brilliant achievement of the 
Second Corps in capturing the salient at Spottsylvania, on 
May 1 2th. In both of these instances there was a heavy 
massing of troops and the assault was against one point only 
of the enemy's ir.trenjhments. 

Now the order was to charge along the whole length of the 
lines, some seven miles or more in length, hit or miss. 

As soon as it began to grow light on the morning of June 
3rd, the order to charge was given. It must be confessed that 
order was not received with much hilarity. It was the same 
order the troops had heard and obeyed almost daily for twenty- 



TOTOPOTOMOY AND COLD HARBOR 1 89 

eight days. Except in the Battle of the Wilderness it had 
always been a charge against strong intrenchments. If the 
Second Corps ever felt and showed its unwillingness to charge 
intrenchments, it was at Cold Harbor. There was some hooting 
at the Brigade commanders by the soldiers, but when it was 
ascertained that these officers themselves were going to lead 
the men, there was no further hesitation. The ground had not 
been looked over. There was no effort made to examine the 
enemy's intrenchments to find a weak place in them, if there 
were any. 

On this morning the four Brigades of our Division were 
commanded by Generals McKeen, Owen, Smyth and Tyler, 
respectively. Tyler and Smyth took the front line, Tyler on 
the right and Smyth on the left, in line of battle. They were 
supported by the other two Brigades following in close columns 
of regiments. McKeen's Brigade, in which was the old Nine- 
teenth, followed Tyler, and Owen followed in support of Smyth. 
The two supporting brigades were ordered to push rapidly for- 
ward and over the front line in column and effect a lodgment 
in the enemy's works, and not to deploy until they got over. It 
was about half-past four in the morning when the Second 
Division of our Corps started across the open field for the Con- 
federate intrenchments, in the above order. The First Divis- 
ion, under General Barlow, was upon our left and constituted 
the left of the army. The Nineteenth, having Tyler's Brigade 
in line of battle in front, did not suffer as much as the front line. 
The country across which the troops charged was rolling, with 
an impassable swamp upon our left, and as we pushed toward 
the enemy's line of works, the red clay soil of the enemy's 
intrenchments soon showed in the distance. After their skir- 
mishers had retreated from our front, their artillery swept the 
field. Still the men pressed on, and, struggling against the 
heavy fire of the enemy, pushed gallantly up to within forty 
or fifty yards of the Confederate works. We could see no men 
to shoot at. They were all protected by their earthworks. 
The Regiment pushed through General Tyler's decimated line 
of battle and deployed near the right of his line. Taking advan- 
tage of a little rise in the land in our front, the Regiment fell 



190 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

upon the ground, and, in an incredibly short space of time, with 
bayonets, tin plates or whatever they could lay their hands 
upon, threw up a slight earthwork in front, sufficient to pro- 
tect them from the enemy's bullets. Before we passed through 
General Tyler's line of battle, it had been forced back a con- 
siderable distance, and the ground in our front presented a 
most pitiful sight, with its dead and wounded. The battle 
proper did not last thirty minutes. When our (McKeen's) Bri- 
gade reached the front it was pretty well to the right of Tyler's 
Brigade. Many of the killed and wounded of the Eighth New 
York Heavy Artillery were in our immediate front, when the 
Regiment halted. None of Tyler's men penetrated the enemy's 
works except a portion of the One Hundred and Sixty-fourth 
New York, under command of Colonel J. P. McMahon, which 
Regiment kept to the left of the swamp, to which reference has 
been made, being thus separated from the rest of the Brigade. 
Colonel McMahon gained the breastworks, with the colors of 
the Regiment in his hands, and fell dead in the midst of the 
enemy. General Barlow captured some three hundred pris- 
oners and three cannon on our left, but was unable to hold his 
advanced position by reason of the enfilading fire of the enemy. 

Colonel McKeen, in command of our Brigade, was killed 
before the Nineteenth reached its advanced position. Colonel 
Frank A. Haskell, of the Thirty-sixth Wisconsin, succeeded to 
the command and in a few minutes fell, mortally wounded. 
A Major from one of the other regiments then assumed com- 
mand of the Brigade temporarily. 

Between eight and nine in the morning. General Hancock 
was directed by General Meade to make another attack, in 
connection with the Eighteenth Corps, unless he considered it 
"hopeless." Fortunately for our Regiment, now in the front 
line and near the strong fortifications of the enemy, Hancock, 
knowing another attack would be fruitless, declined to order it. 
Between one and two in the afternoon orders were given by 
General Meade to suspend further offensive operations, to in- 
trench and advance against the enemy by regular approaches. 
The Regiment did not receive nor require the order to suspend 
"oflFensive operations," for all our efforts had been strictly 



TOTOPOTOMOY AND COLD HARBOR I9I 

and actively defensive for several hours. We were fortunate 
in finding a few fence rails by following down a deep ravine to 
our left. These were serviceable in constructing rifle-pits. 
The Confederates made an attack and attempted to drive us 
back a little after seven o'clock in "the evening, but were re- 
pulsed. There was artillery firing all day, including coehorns. 
Whenever there was a chance to fire at anything, it was im- 
proved by the infantry and the sharpshooters. In the evening 
spades and other intrenching tools were brought up, and the 
men worked all night. During the darkness our position was 
advanced and a new line of intrenchments was constructed. 
After dark some soldiers of the Eighth New York Heavy 
Artillery crept back from the front where they had lain all day, 
in a hollow, where the Confederates could not reach them 
with their rifles. 

Colonels McKeen, Haskell and McMahon, who were killed 
in this battle, were all young men. They had served as staff 
officers and won honors on the battlefield, before being com- 
missioned to command regiments. They were warm personal 
friends and serving in the same Brigade with the same rank. 
Colonel Mc Keen's commission bearing the earliest date, he was 
commanding the Brigade. Haskell was Colonel of the Thirty- 
sixth Wisconsin and McMahon Colonel of the One Hundred and 
Sixty-fourth New York. Lieutenant-General Nelson A. Miles 
(retired), who commanded a Brigade under Barlow in this battle, 
is authority for the statement that on the night of June 2nd 
these three officers slept on the ground under the same blanket. 
They were talking together during the evening, and bantering 
one another as to which one would probably be hit first the 
next day. Within fifteen minutes from the time Gibbon's line 
of battle started, the next morning, these three officers were 
lying dead on the battlefield. McKeen was killed first, then 
Haskell, his successor in command of the Brigade, fell, and then 
McMahon was killed inside the Confederate intrenchments. 

Major Mitchell, of General Hancock's staff, made this 
remark on the third of June: "Altogether this has been one of 
the most disastrous days the Army of the Potomac has ever 
seen, and the old Second Corps has especially suffered." Gen- 



192 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

eral Gibbon, in his report of this battle, makes the following 
statement: 'From the 3rd to the 12th, the Division was 
occupied in perfecting its position and pushing forward works 
toward the enemy — constantly under fire, both cannon and 
musketry, day and night, losing some two hundred and eighty 
officers and men, killed and wounded. During these nine days, 
the labor and military duty of the Division were of the hardest 
kind and performed under the most disadvantageous circum- 
stances — confined for ten days in narrow trenches, with no 
water to wash in and none to drink, except that obtained at the 
risk of losing life; unable to obey a call of nature or to stand 
erect, without forming targets for hostile bullets, and subjected 
to the heat and dust of midsummer, which soon produced 
sickness and vermin. The position was indeed a trying one; 
but all bore it cheerfully and contentedly, and constructed 
covered ways to water and to the rear and joked of the hostile 
bullets as they whistled over their heads, to find a less protected 
target far in the rear of the lines. I regard this as having been 
the most trying period of this trying campaign."^ 

From the 4th to the iith of June, we occupied prac- 
tically the same position. Siege operations were carried 
on and the Union lines were advanced slowly by regular ap- 
proaches. The men of the Nineteenth will recall the deep 
wells that the boys dug, with somewhat artistic steps descend- 
ing to the bottom, where a little poor water was obtained. 
There was almost constant skirmishing by day and during the 
nights there was frequently heavy artillery and musketry 
firing. The lines of battle were in such close proximity that 
constant watchfulness was necessary in order to prevent sur- 
prises. Both sides appeared to be apprehensive lest some ad- 
vantage might be obtained by the other. In order to obtain 
water in any quantities, or to bring up supplies from the rear, 
soldiers passed back and forth in zigzag trenches covered for a 
portion of the distance. Loopholes were made near the top of 
the breastworks, through which the soldiers would insert the 
muzzles of their rifles and wait for a "good shot." The writer 
recalls seeing a soldier of the Regiment, whose name he cannot 

1 War Records, Vol. 36, Part 1, p. 433. 



TOTOPOTOMOY AND COLD HARBOR I93 

remember, after having fired, quickly withdraw his rifle and 
put his eye to the hole, to see the effect of his shot. In a 
moment came the dull sound of a bullet crashing through his 
head, and the soldier fell dead as a clod among his comrades. 
A Confederate skirmisher had correctly timed the interval be- 
tween the soldier's firing and his desire to investigate the result 
of his shot. A few years ago, and after we had begun to collect 
material for this history, Captain Charles E. Nash wrote as 
follows : " I think there is an omission in your list of at least one 
casualty at Cold Harbor. 1 remember vividly a tragic incident 
there of a soldier — 1 think of Company B, whose name I cannot 
recall — who prepared his supper, ate it, repacked his dishes, 
was hit and killed by a sharpshooter and buried by his com- 
rades near the breastwork, all within one hour's time." If 
this soldier was not Harvey C. Joice, of Company I, the writer 
cannot ascertain who the unfortunate soldier was, although 
he remembers the incident mentioned by Captain Nash. 

There was one incident that afi'orded some satisfaction 
to the soldiers while confined in the trenches at Cold Harbor 
and which has never been seen in print. The writer made a 
record of the same at the time, and has a very distinct recollec- 
tion of the fact. At times while lying in the trenches here, 
there had been an agreement between the two lines of battle 
that there should be a cessation of all firing until one side or the 
other gave notice. This arrangement had been carried out for 
short intervals several times before this incident happened. 
During one of these truces, the men were carelessly lounging 
about, glad of the opportunity to stretch themselves. Some 
had gone for water, some were bringing up wood and some from 
both sides were looking over the tops of the breastworks. They 
were all unguarded and most of them were in plain sight of each 
other, talking good-naturedly back and forth between the lines. 
Suddenly from the Confederate side, on a piece of rising ground, 
rang out the sharp report of a rifle and a man belonging to 
another regiment, who was bringing up an armful of wood di- 
rectly in the rear of the Nineteenth Maine, fell forward on his 
face, dead. For a moment everyone on both sides stood in 
mute astonishment; then there was a sudden rush for cover. 



194 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Someone from the Nineteenth went and got a bugler from one 
of the Massachusetts regiments and directed a plan of surprise 
for the "Johnnies." Word was passed along the line for every- 
one to be ready with their rifles when the order " forward" was 
given by the bugler. Then the clear notes of the bugle were 
heard, sounding the charge, and for half a mile along the lines, 
the Confederates jumped upon their breastworks, ready for 
business. All along the Union line there blazed forth a sheet 
of fire from the rifles of the men, concealed behind their breast- 
works. Many a Confederate soldier dropped in his tracks, and 
those not struck by our bullets quickly concealed themselves 
behind their intrenchments. From our side came laughter and 
cheers; from theirs came oaths and curses. The shot that 
killed the Union soldier probably came from some irresponsible 
idiot who knew no better. Doubtless the Confederates re- 
gretted the act as much as anyone, but the friendly relations 
between the lines were somewhat strained thereafter. 

From the 3rd to the 7th of June the wounded' who had 
fallen on the first day, lay between the lines, some of them 
faintly calling to be taken away. The dead were unburied. 
General Morgan, of General Hancock's stafi", concerning this 
dreadful interval, thus speaks: "It was understood at the 
time that the delay was caused by something akin to a point of 
etiquette. General Grant proposed a flag of truce as a mutual 
accommodation. General Lee replied that he had no dead or 
wounded not attended to, but ofi'ered to grant a truce if General 
Grant desired it to attend to his own. General Grant was then 
compelled to ask a suspension of hostilities as a favor to the 
Union Army. The assault occurred on the morning of the 
third, the first flag was not sent until the evening of the fifth, 
and the cessation of hostilities did not finally take place until 
nearly five full days after the assault. It is, perhaps, unneces- 
sary to say that the wounded who had not been able to crawl 
into our lines at night were now past caring for, and the dead 
were in a horrible state of putrefaction. Better the consuming 
fire of the Wilderness and the Po than the lingering, agonizing 
death of these poor men, whose vain calls for relief smote upon 



TOTOPOTOMOY AND COLD HARBOR I95 

the ears of their comrades at every lull in the firing."^ General 
Francis A. Walker, the able historian of the Second Corps, and 
likewise on General Hancock's staff, in his life of General Han- 
cock, and relating to the same affair, wrote as follows: " During 
all of this interval, it was known that scores of our desperately 
wounded were lying in the narrow space between the two lines, 
uncared for and without water. All who could crawl in to the 
one side or the other had already done so; hundreds had been 
brought in at great risk to their rescuers; but there were still 
those who lay helpless where it was simply death for a Union 
soldier to show his head. Moreover, the dead of the third 
nearly all lay where they had fallen. If it be asked why so 
simple a duty of humanity as the rescue of the wounded and the 
burial of the dead had been thus neglected, it is answered that 
it was due to an unnecessary scruple on the part of the Union 
Commander-in-chief. Grant delayed sending a flag of truce to 
General Lee for this purpose, because it would amount to an 
admission that he had been beaten on the 3rd of June. It 
now seems incredible that he should for a moment have sup- 
posed that any other view could be taken of that action. But, 
even if it were so, this was a very poor way of rewarding his 
soldiers who had fallen in the attack or of encouraging their 
comrades to take similar risks. It was not until the 7th 
that an arrangement was reached for a cessation of hostilities, 
between six and eight p. m., for the burial of the dead and re- 
moving the wounded. By this time, most of the latter were 
past caring for. Hardly was the flag of truce over when 
another outburst occurred which soon rose to the greatest 
fury."^ Those who are desirous of examining the correspond- 
ence between General Lee and General Grant concerning this 
unfortunate affair will find the same in the Records of the War 
of the Rebellion, Series i , Volume 36, Part 3, on pages 600, 638, 
639, 666 and 667. While the dead were being buried be- 
tween the lines under this flag of truce, the men of the two 
armies fraternized, talked and joked together, exchanged 



1 Walker's History of the Second Corps, p. 518. 

2 Pp. 225, 226. 



196 THE NINETEENTH MAiNE REGIMENT 

newspapers, and traded coffee and tobacco, as though there was 
no war going on. 

General Lee felt safe enough to withdraw Early's Corps 
from the intrenchments at Cold Harbor on June 13th and dis- 
patch it to the Shenandoah Valley, on its famous raid to 
capture Washington. 

In the early evening of June 12th the Second Corps, 
whose soldiers were nearer the enemy's lines than any other 
Corps in the army, was quietly and stealthily withdrawn. 

CASUALTIES OF THE NINETEENTH MAINE AT THE BATTLE 
(,0F COLD HARBOR. 

*^ June 2nd to 12th, 1864. 

Company A. 
Charles H. Tibbetts, wounded, June ord. 

Company B. 
John Rice, wounded, June 4th, died Aua;usta, Maine, August 
8th, 1864. 

Company C. 
Sergeant Alphonzo Nichols, wounded, June 3rd; Ezra F. Mclntire, 
wounded, June 13th; Olney W. Titus, wounded, June 12th, died 
June 19th; Aaron C. Plummer, wounded and died, June 4th. 

Company D. 
Corporal Frederick H. Wyman, killed, June 3rd; Jackson Mixer, 
killed, June 3rd, 

Company E. 
William Jones, prisoner, June 12th, died in Andersonville prison, 
August 15th. 

Company H. 
Corporal Frank A. Sherman, wounded, June 5th; Thomas W. 
Merrow, wounded, June 5th. 

Company I. 
Harvey C. Joice, killed, June 9th. 

RECAPITULATION. 
Killed and mortally wounded ------ g 

Wounded, not fatally -------- 5 

Prisoner and died in prison ------ 1 

Total - - - 12 

Speaking of the withdrawal from Cold Harbor, General 
Walker makes this statement: "As the Second Corps turned 
southward from Cold Harbor to take its part in the second act 
of the great campaign of 1864, the historian is bound to confess 
that something of its pristine virtue had departed under the 
terrific blows that had been showered upon it in the series of 



TOTOFOTOAIOY AND COLD HARBOR I97 

fierce encounters which have been recited. Its casualties had 
averaged more than four hundred a day for the whole period 
since it crossed the Rapidan. It had lost 5,092 in the Wilder- 
ness, 5,457 at Spottsylvania, 1,651 on the North Anna and the 
Totopotomoy, and 3,510 at Cold Harbor; in all 15,710. But 
even these figures fail to tell the amount of the injury that had 
been sustained. Twenty-seven general and field officers had 
been killed or mortally wounded, and several times that number 
disabled. In a disproportionate degree, it was the bravest and 
most enterprising officers, the bravest and most enduring 
soldiers, who had fallen in the assaults upon their intrenched 
positions. These were the men who went farthest to the front 
stayed there longest and fell back most slowly and grudgingly. 
Moreover, the confidence of the troops in their leaders had been 
severely shaken. They had again and again been ordered to 
attacks which the very privates in the ranks knew to be hope- 
less from the start. They had seen the fatal policy of 'assaults 
all along the line,' persisted in after the most ghastly failures; 
and they had almost ceased to expect victory when they went 
into battle. The lamentable story of Petersburg cannot be 
understood without reference to facts like these.' "' 

On the 1 ith of May General Grant wrote to General Hal- 
leck that he proposed "to fight it out on this line if it takes all 
summer." Well, if the line was to be a direct line, we were now 
getting pretty near the terminal station. General Lee stood 
resolutely facing his antagonist, and the last battle had been 
most decidedly in his favor. It seems very apparent that at 
first General Grant did not appreciate Lee's ability nor the 
valor of his soldiers. He had never met their equals in the 
West. As soon as Grant crossed the Rapidan, on May 4th, he 
wired Halleck: "Forty-eight hours now will demonstrate 
whether the enemy intends giving battle this side of Richmond !" 
That looks as though Grant half expected Lee would run. 
He evidently underrated the strength and ability of his antag- 
onist and doubtless shared the opinion of other western officers 
that there was something lacking in the fighting qualities 
and endurance of the Army of the Potomac. Grant learned, 

1 Walker's Life of Hancock, pp. 228, 229. 



198 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

however, before his campaign was far advanced that he was 
not fighting Buckner, Beauregard, Van Dorn, Pemberton or 
even Bragg, and that the soldiers whom Lee commanded were 
the choicest and bravest of the whole Confederate army. His 
eyes were gradually opened to this fact. It has been contended 
by some of our historians that the "hammering" process wisely 
inaugurated by General Grant, made necessary the frightful 
track of bloodshed from the Wilderness to Petersburg. They 
further claim that the Union army could well afford to sacrifice 
two or three lives for one, in that campaign, and that the loss of 
60,000 men in killed and wounded, without inflicting a propor- 
tionate loss upon the enemy, counts for nothing as long as we 
were successful in the end. Surely to admit that Grant could 
not avoid paying such an enormous price for his success is to 
concede the superior generalship of Lee. General Grant did 
not despise strategical or tactical movements of his army at 
Vicksburg or at Chattanooga. The continual hammering 
process he reserved for the Army of the Potomac. He was not 
too great, however, to profit by his experience. The blunders 
and horror at Cold Harbor, General Grant was manly enough, 
at a later time, to acknowledge and deplore. There were no 
other Cold Harbors in our history after the early days of June 
1864 — certainly none for which he was responsible. 

Again, on May iith. General Grant wrote to Halleck: 
" I am satisfied the enemy are very shaky and are only kept 
up to the mark by the greatest exertion on the part of their 
officers." In looking back now, after the lapse of all these 
years, we can see how mistaken General Grant was. Even 
after the battle of Cold Harbor, Lee detached Breckenridge to 
meet Hunter, who was pressing south, via Staunton, towards 
Lynchburg, and on June 13th, the very day we crossed the 
Chickahominy, General Early with the Second Corps (Ewell's) 
of Lee's Army, was hurrying north, to threaten the city of 
Washington. 

After the Battle of Cold Harbor and before leaving there. 
General Gibbon, commanding our Division, preferred charges 
against Brigadier-General J. T, Owen, commanding the Second 
Brigade, for failure to obey orders to move his Brigade to the 



TOTOPOTOMOY AND COLD HARBOR 1 99 

attack on the enemy's lines, at Spottsylvania, May i8th, and at 
Cold Harbor, on the 3rd of June. General Grant sent Owen, 
under arrest, to Fortress Monroe, and recommended that he be 
mustered out of the service. The recommendation of Grant 
was approved, and by order of the President, General Owen 
was mustered out July i8th, 1864. He entered the service as 
Colonel of the Sixty-ninth Pennsylvania. His residence was 
at Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia. The Sixty-ninth was mostly 
composed of Irish. 

"Paddy Owen," as he was called by the soldiers, was a 
familiar figure in Gibbon's Division. He was not very highly 
regarded as a commander. His burly form and red face were 
not seen any more by the Regiment after Cold Harbor. He 
was placed under arrest and reprimanded by his superior 
officers so often that it became monotonous; yet he was com- 
mended many times for his coolness and bravery in battle in 
the earlier years of the war. At the battle of Fredericksburg, 
Owen placed himself in front of his Brigade and led his troops 
in the charge on the Confederate intrenchments. 

On the night of June nth, our Division was relieved by 
the Third Division of the Sixth Corps, and we marched to the 
rear about a mile and had a good night's rest. The Regiment 
rested all day June 12th and enjoyed a good wash and a general 
cleaning up. 



200 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 



CHAPTER XI. 



SOUTH OF THE JAMES RIVER AND BATTLES IN 
FRONT OF PETERSBURG JUNE 16-20, 1864. 

A little before midnight, on June 12th, the Regiment, 
under command of Captain Nash, started with our Division, 
preceded by the First Division, and crossed the Richmond and 
York River railroad, near Dispatch Station; thence past 
Ratcliffe's Old Tavern, and crossed the Long Bridge over 
the Chickahominy at three o'clock in the afternoon. Here we 
rested and made coffee, and started again before dark. At 
about midnight we camped down between Charles City 
Court House and the James river. It was talked among the 
members of the Regiment that we encamped upon the farm 
of ex-President Tyler, who had died a little more than a year 
before in the city of Richmond. Tyler's place, however, was 
nearly two miles southeast of the Court House, and the Regi- 
ment did not march as far east as that. On the next day, 
June 14th, our Corps began crossing the James on transports, 
at a place called Wilcox's Landing, Birney's Division being 
the first to cross. Our Division began crossing at about half- 
past three in the afternoon, and the last of the Division crossed 
a little before ten at night. Barlow's Division crossed later in 
the night. The Regiment marched about a mile from the 
landing into the woods and lay down for the night. 

Wilcox's Landing is on the northern bank of the James 
river, and Wind Mill Point is directly opposite, on the southern 
bank. These places are twelve miles below City Point, thirty- 
five miles from Cold Harbor and twenty miles from Petersburg. 

On June 15th, while resting at Wind Mill Point, the 
original members of the Fourth Maine Regiment having served 
their three years, were discharged. The recruits from the 
regiment, both present and absent, numbering 278, were trans- 



SOUTH OF THE JAMES RIVER 201 

f erred, on the rolls, to'our Regiment. As a matter of fact, 
only seventy-five men from that regiment joined ours. The 
other soldiers transferred from that regiment, on paper, were 
some of them prisoners of war and others were in hospitals. 
The men of the Fourth Maine who served with us were ex- 
cellent soldiers and an honor to the Nineteenth. 

The men of the F^egiment remained where they slept on 
the night of June 14th, until nearly noon June 15th, under strict 
orders not to wander away, and to be ready to march at a 
moment's notice. At about half-past ten o'clock the head of 
Birney's Division moved out on the long march for Petersburg, 
and the head of our Division started in the column about noon. 
We did not enjoy the confidence of General Meade and so he 
did not reveal to us the secret of our destination. Barlow's 
Division was marching on a road parallel to that on which we 
were marching. The twenty miles covered by the Regiment 
on this day made a very hard march. It was intensely hot, 
the roads were dusty, and the color of the soldiers' uniforms 
could not be distinguished. The men suffered for lack of 
water, as none suitable for drinking purposes could be found on 
the march. Many men fell out of the ranks, prostrated by the 
heat. About the middle of the afternoon firing was distinctly 
heard toward the front, and the troops began to close up. The 
soldiers' steps lengthened and the last few miles were rapidly 
paced off, amidst the dust and heat of that June day. 

Between ten o'clock and midnight, June 14th, General 
Hancock was informed by General Meade that Butler would 
send 60,000 rations for his Corps to Wind Mill Point. As soon 
as these rations were received, Hancock was told that he would 
move his Corps by the most direct route to Petersburg. Meade 
ordered Hancock to take up a certain position there, to be de- 
termined by certain land-marks, and subsequently the position 
was found to be an impossible one. No intimation was given 
him as to whether any troops would precede or follow him, or 
for what purpose he was sent to Petersburg. The rations did 
not arrive, as promised, and the Corps marched off without 
them about half-past ten o'clock, June 15th. General Hancock 
was not informed that General W. F. Smith or anybody else was 



-202 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

to make an attack on Petersburg. He was neither commanded 
nor requested to march rapidly. Between five and six o'clock 
in the afternoon, and when within five or six miles of Peters- 
burg, Hancock received an order from General Grant directing 
him to hasten forward to Petersburg and go to the support of 
General Smith, who commanded the Eighteenth Corps, and 
who claimed to have carried some of the enemy's works. 
At about the same time a request came from General Smith 
requesting him to bring the Second Corps to his support. The 
Corps was then rushed forward to the support of Smith's troops. 
General Smith was Hancock's senior in rank. General Smith 
had fooled away the afternoon and his Corps had been kept in 
check by a handful of Confederate troops. There is nothing 
very creditable in recalling this day's work. But for the 
blundering or incompetency of somebody, Petersburg ought 
to have been in the possession of the Union troops on June 15th, 
before sundown. 

General Lee seemed to be completely bewildered by Grant's 
movements south of the James. On June i6th, at 10:30 in the 
morning, when the Second Corps was pushing its way into 
Petersburg, Lee, from Drewry's Bluff, on the south side of the 
James, telegraphed Beauregard, at Petersburg: " I do not know 
the position of Grant's Army and cannot strip the north bank 
of the James river." Even as late as 5:30 in the afternoon of 
June 17th, he sent a messenger to General W. H. F. Lee, at 
Malvern Hill, saying: "Push after the enemy and endeavor to 
ascertain what has become of Grant's Army." 

The Regiment arrived in sight of Petersburg about four 
o'clock in the afternoon, but it was after dark when our Brigade 
reached the line of battle of the Eighteenth Corps. Our Divi- 
sion, under Gibbon, was placed in position after midnight. 
We relieved a portion of General Smith's Corps, and were 
somewhat surprised to find ourselves mingling with the men 
of the Eighth Maine Regiment as it marched back to the rear, 
while we were marching forward to take their places. The 
Nineteenth was placed between the Friend House and the 
Prince George Court House road. Smith had in the afternoon 
captured the outer line of works. General Birney's Division was 



SOUTH OF THE JAMES RIVER 2O3 

on our left. There was occasional firing all night. The skirmish 
line was pushed out in advance, but no skirmishers were called 
for from our Regiment. In a very short time some of the men 
were put to work strengthening the rifle pits, while the balance 
of them were soon lying on the ground fast asleep. The soil 
here consisted of sand and made a very soft and self-adjustable 
bed. On the i yth of June, the Nineteenth lay behind the works 
all day, although there was some fighting on our left. At the 
close of operations on June 17th, General Hancock was obliged 
to relinquish, temporarily, the command of the Corps, by 
reason of the breaking out anew of his Gettysburg wound. He 
was absent from the Corps from June 17th to the 27th. General 
Birney tried to fill his place. On the morning of June i8th our 
Regiment was moved to the left and advanced to the front line, 
when the men found themselves on the extreme right of the 
Third Division, commanded by General Mott. On both the 
17th and 1 8th, Dow's Sixth Maine Battery, with its six Napo- 
leons (twelve-pounders), was in the line on our right, doing 
effective work. It was a section of this same battery which did 
such splendid work on the plank road in the Wilderness on the 
afternoon of May 6th. Between four and five o'clock in the 
afternoon of the iSth, the Third Division, under General Mott, 
made a general assault on the enemy's line in the vicinity of^ 
the Hare house, which assault, as usual, resulted in ignominious 
failure. It was here that the First Maine Heavy Artillery, 
assigned to the Third Division May 29th, met with its awful 
and unprecedented loss, in sight of the Nineteenth Maine- 
During the charge of Mott's Division, we were kept busy keeping 
back the Confederate skirmishers, who were trying to get in on 
Mott's right flank. Colonel Chamberlain, Twentieth Maine 
Regiment, was wounded in the charge. His regiment belonged 
in the Fifth Corps, which occupied ground considerably to the 
left of the Second Corps. 

A young soldier belonging to one of the New York regi- 
ments was brought back from between the lines of battle and 
died with a scrap of paper pinned to his coat, containing the 
following pathetic message, written in lead pencil: 



204 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

"June 18, 
My dear father and mother, sisters and brothers : 

I am here on the battlefield wounded in two places — once through 
the bowels and once in the left shoulder, and must die within twenty- 
four hours. The battle rages terribly, but, my dears, I die for my 
country, and I pray God to take me to that home in heaven where I 
hope to meet you all. Good-bye forever. 
^ James. 

To Uriel Markell, Spencer, Tioga Co., N. Y." 

This touching letter was forwarded to the parents and the 
boy was buried by his comrades, with tears streaming down 
their cheeks, as they thought of the bereaved father and 
mother in the distant home. 

LOSSES OF THE REGIMENT IN THE BATTLE OF PETERS- 
BURG. 

June 16th to 18th, 1864. 

Captain E. A. Burpee, Company I, prisoner, June 18th. 

Company A. 
Joseph W. Anderson, wounded, June 16th; Charles H. Tibbetts, 
wounded, June 16th: Isaac W. Tibbetts, wounded, June 19th. 

Company B. 
James H. Hutchinson, wounded. 

Cotnpany E. 
r^ Robert Carlin, Jr., mortally wounded, June 18th — died, June 19th; 
George H. Sylvary (4th Me.), killed, June 18th; Otis Colson (4th Me.), 
wounded, June 18th; Nathan Winslow (4th Me.), prisoner. 

Company F. 
Lorenzo M. Richardson, wounded, June 18th. 

Company H. 
Corporal S. M. Downs, wounded, June 18th; C. L. Ring, wounded, 
June 18th. 

Company I. 
Hezekiah Merrow (4th Me.) killed in action, June 18th. 

The men got what rest they could behind the breastworks 
on June 19th and were relieved by a division of the Sixth Corps 
on the evening of the 20th, and marched what seemed to be 
several miles to the left. We encamped for the night near the 
Norfolk and Petersburg railroad. On the afternoon of June 
2 1 St we advanced, gradually extending our line forward to the 
left, in the direction of the Weldon railroad. The morning of 
June 22nd found us considerably advanced and behind shallow 
rifle pits which had been hurriedly thrown up during the night. 
They were not much protection, and during the forenoon the 



SOUTH OF THE JAMES RIVER 2O5 

men were induced to strengthen these rifle pits by the most 
persuasive of arguments— Confederate sharpshooters. 

President Lincoln arrived at City Point June 21st, and in 
the afternoon of that day rode with General Grant to the lines 
in front of Petersburg. 



206 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 



CHAPTER XII. 



BATTLE OF JERUSALEM PLANK ROAD. 

The history of June 22nd, 1864, records one of the most 
humiliating disasters that ever befell the Nineteenth Maine. 
Neither the soldiers of the Nineteenth, nor the regiments of 
the Division and Corps, were responsible for the disgraceful 
results of that day. The fault lay with the officers in command 
of the troops. It appears that our Corps, temporarily in com- 
mand of General Birney, was ordered to hold its connection 
with the Fifth Corps on the right and to swing forward to the 
left, using the right Brigade as a pivot, but to keep connection 
with the Sixth Corps on the left. Much of the advance was 
through woods and thickets, and it would have been slow 
work even if there had been no enemy in front. The Sixth 
Corps had necessarily a much longer distance to march before 
coming in contact with the enemy. The Jerusalem plank road 
runs nearly south from Petersburg, and where the Second Corps 
was mancEuvering was about equidistant from the Norfolk and 
from the Weldon railroads. The Corps had all crossed to the 
west of the Jerusalem road. The Brigade was commanded 
by General B. R. Pierce, formerly Colonel of the Third Michigan, 
v/ho had been slightly wounded four days before. The Nine- 
teenth was in the edge of some woods fronting a clearing. 
The Division hospital was established at the Cheeves house, on 
the eastern side of the Jerusalem road and about half a mile 
directly to the rear of the Regiment. 

The regiments of the First Brigade were arranged in the 
following order, from left to right: First Minnesota Battalion, 
Nineteenth Maine, Nineteenth Massachusetts, Forty-second 
New York, Eighty-second New York, Fifteenth Massachusetts, 
Fifty-ninth New York, Twentieth Massachusetts, Thirty-sixth 
Wisconsin and Seventh Michigan, the latter regiment being 



BATTLE OF JERUSALEM PLANK ROAD 207 

near the Jerusalem plank road. The Second Brigade, under 
command of Major O'Brien, One Hundred and Fifty-second 
New York Volunteers, was on our left. The regiment on the 
extreme right of the Second Brigade and adjoining ours was the 
Seventy-second Pennsylvania. Firing from the front began 
to increase about two o'clock and by three o'clock in the 
afternoon, while our men were engaged in watching toward 
the front and firing, a Confederate line of battle charged 
along the rear of the Union lines from left to right, killing 
and wounding many and taking a large number of prisoners. 
The first thing the Nineteenth knew of the approaching ca- 
lamity was the giving way of the Second Brigade and First 
Minnesota Battalion on our immediate left — the men of which 
did not run directly to the rear, but ran more lengthwise 
toward the right and in the rear of our Regiment, closely pur- 
sued by the exultant foe. The men of the Regiment had no 
chance whatever. If they desired to avoid being taken pris- 
oners, their only course was to get far enough to the rear so 
they could face the Confederates and fire upon them. There had 
been no strong works built the night before. When the Nine- 
teenth faced this sudden danger, the ground in the rear of 
McKnight's Battery was filled with Mott's Third Division 
troops, in a disorganized state, fleeing and followed closely by 
the Second Brigade of our own Division. Captain McKnight's 
men stood by their guns until the enemy came up to them, 
some from the rear and some over their own works from the front, 
calling upon them to surrender. The men of the Nineteenth 
Maine retreated rapidly a short distance and then halted in the 
woods, across an old wood road, under the immediate direction 
of General Pierce. The First Minnesota Battalion was thrown 
to the front as skirmishers. Three or four regiments from the 
Fourth Brigade here joined the Nineteenth Maine and the First 
Minnesota and advanced under the direction of General Pierce. 
Twice our Hne was pressed for^vard to recapture McKnight's 
Battery, but now the enemy were firing from behind our own 
works, and that firing was so deadly that it was impossible to 
accomplish anything. The charge of the enemy from left to 
right exhausted itself when it reached the Thirty-sixth Wiscon 



208 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

sin regiment, which regiment lost heavily in killed and wounded 
during the afternoon, but more especially in prisoners. Of the 
six non-commissfoned officers who constituted the color guard 
of the Nineteenth the morning of June 22nd, Color-Sergeant 
Preston J. Carter, of Company C, and Corporal Otis Little, of 
Company I, were killed, the former with the colors in his hands; 
Sergeant Wm. B. Sawyer, of Company E, and Corporal John 
Day Smith, of Company F, were wounded, and Sergeant John T. 
Frost, of Company D, and Corporal N. C. McFarland, of Com- 
pany K, were taken prisoners. Three times during that after- 
noon the man bearing the colors was shot dead in his tracks, 
but another man would immediately catch the flag and bear it 
to the front. Not once did the old flag touch the ground. 

Preston J. Carter was a clean, manly fellow, about twenty 
years of age. He came to us from the Fourth Maine, about 
the time we left Cold Harbor. He had borne the colors of the 
Fourth Maine, and when coming to our Regiment he took the 
same position. He was finishing his course of study in the 
Rockland High School when he enlisted in the Fourth Maine, 
leaving a widowed mother at home. He was an only son. 
Young Carter had been with the Nineteenth scarcely two weeks, 
yet every man in the Regiment who knew him came to respect 
him. 

General Meade had become impatient at the slow progress 
made in the advance of the Second Corps, by reason of the left 
of the Corps waiting to keep its connection with the Sixth, 
so he ordered General Birney, soon after noon, to push the left 
wing of his Corps forward without regard to the position of the 
Sixth Corps. This was what gave the enemy the opportunity 
he was looking for. Then, perhaps, the left flank of the 
Corps, in its advanced position, ought to have been better 
protected by facing to the south some of the brigades on the 
extreme left of the Corps, to prevent just what occurred. It 
was openly charged and talked among the officers and men at 
the time that some of the officers at Division and Corps head- 
quarters were unfit for duty by reason of intoxication. 

Official wrath had to be visited upon somebody, and so 
General Gibbon, smarting under a sense of mortification, 




Corjx^ral Jtihn Day Smith, Co. F 



BATTLE OF JERUSALEM PLANK ROAd 2^ 

relieved General Pierce, who was in no wise at fault, and as- 
signed Colonel William Blaisdell, of the Eleventh Massachusetts 
Volunteers, to the command of our Brigade. Colonel Blaisdell 
was from Boston and nearly fifty years old, but was a brave, 
faithful officer. He was killed the next day after assuming 
command of the Brigade. 

That portion of his report relating to this engagement, made 
by Captain Spaulding, who had returned two days before and 
was in command of the Regiment on this day, is as follows : "At 
three o'clock in the morning of June 22nd, advanced to the 
skirmish line and commenced throwing up earthworks under 
destructive fire. Occupied this line until about two in the 
afternoon, when the troops on the left were discovered to be 
falling back. It was impossible to change front in that position, 
as the enemy in our old front would have an enfilading fire of 
artillery and infantry on our line. The Regiment held this 
position until the enemy were close upon its left flank and rear, 
when it was compelled to retire, losing heavily in killed, wound- 
ed and prisoners. The Regiment was then placed on the left 
of the line, which was immediately formed to retake the battery 
and works lost. Advanced twice with that line upon the enemy. 
The casualties on this day were very numerous. The colors 
fell three times, the men who successively bore them being 
shot dead." 

In 1892 the writer went over the battle ground of the 18th 
and 22nd of June, 1864, in company with General Mahone. 
This Confederate officer commanded the troops that made us 
so much trouble on the Jerusalem plank road, on June 22nd. 
General Mahone was hospitable and presented the writer with 
a Confederate map of the battlefield, and made to him the 
following statement: 

f .17 1°" ^^^ morning of June 22nd, 1864, my division and the division 
ot Wilcox occupied the ground in front of the Second Corps, Army of 
the Fotomac. My headquarters were in the rear of the ground after- 
ward occupied by Fort Mahone. On that morning. General Lee rode 
up to my tent and sat on his horse, looking through his field-glass 
where my skirmishers were quite briskly engaged with those of General 
y ?."t,t- ^^""? the preceding night and early in the morning of this 
K^J^Ji '^ ^ skirmishers had been pushed out in front, and his line of 
battle advanced through the woods up to the edge of the clearing which 
in some places, extended to our lines. After finishing his inspection ' 



2 JO THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIiMENT 

he put up his field-glass, and, turning to me, said : 'General, I don't want 
the Federals to advance any further in this direction.' I replied : 'Gen- 
eral Lee, do I understand that you wish nie to drive them back?' Lee 
answered: 'You understand me correctly, sir.' And, having saluted me 
in the most formal manner, he rode back toward the city. 

"I knew every foot of the ground in and around Petersburg. There 
was quite a deep ravine near the right of my division, which extended 
down toward and beyond the Federal line. I sent my scouts down 
this gully, asking them to report to me as soon as possible the result of 
their observations. General Wilcox, who was not under my immediate 
command, wished to accompany me with a portion of his division. My 
scouts reported to me that the place where this ravine came out into the 
Federal lines was not occupied by troops, but that the left flank of the 
Federal line was some little distance from this ravine. They also re- 
ported that there was a line of battle evidently pushing its way through 
the woods, a considerable distance to the rear and on the right of this 
valley. That body of troops was evidently the Sixth Corps. I formed 
my plan at once, to push my division down into this gap between the 
Second and Sixth Corps, and endeavor to get into the rear of the Second 
Corps. I took most of my division along, leaving a part of a brigade 
in my original line of battle, and hurried down this ravine until I had 
reached the rear of the left flank of the Second Corps, and, as far as I 
could ascertain, without having been observed by any of the Federal 
troops. I hastily formed my division for a charge along the rear of the 
Federal line, from its left flank toward its right. I requested General 
Wilcox to accompany me, as a support, with the small force which he 
had. He insisted, however, that he ought to move farther to the right 
and strike some portion of the Sixth Corps. I confess, I was pretty 
indignant when he started on his wild goose chase. My appearance 
upon the left flank and rear of the Federal line was a complete surprise 
to them. There was a regiment or two upon their left flank which were 
easily brushed aside. 

"The Federal troops were willing enough to run, but the difficulty 
was, they didn't know which way to start. We captured those who 
hesitated and those who could not run as fast as my men. Many of 
my troops stopped to drive the prisoners over toward' our lines, so that 
by the time I had reached McKnight's Battery and captured that, the 
force of my charge was nearly spent. I pressed my troops forward, 
however, and I would think that I reached a point some ten or twelve 
rods beyond this battery. Just before reaching McKnight's Battery, 
Wilcox rode up, following the sound of my guns and trailing along in 
the rear, and asked me where he should go. I told him he might go to 
h — 1, for all I cared. His troops had accomplished nothing. In the 
meantime, the Federals had recovered somewhat from their stampede, 
and I hastily gathered the spoils of victory and withdrew to my 
original line, practically unmolested. I felt, at the close of the day, 
that I had done something toward evening up the score which the 
enemy made at Spottsylvania, on May 12th." 

From June 15th to the 30tli, the losses in the Army of the 
Potomac were reported at over 13,500, nearly 4000 of whom 
were prisoners. The Second Corps loss was reported at 6600, 
and of this number about 2300 were prisoners. The reports 
do not show the losses on the i6th, 17th, i8th and 22nd sep- 



BATTLE OF JERUSALEM PLANK ROAD 211 

arately. General Walker states that the Second Corps lost in 
prisoners on the 22nd of June, 1700 men. These losses would 
not seem so large if we had had any substantial fruits to show 
for them. Of course some damage had been inflicted upon 
the enemy, but nothing to compensate for our heavy losses. 
The list below shows how the Nineteenth fared on this day: 

CASUALTIES OF REGIMENT AT THE BATTLE OF JERUSALEM 
PLANK ROAD. 
June 22nd, 1864. 

Second ^Lieutenant Lafayette Carver, Company I, mortally 
wounded, died same day. 

Company A . 
Sergeant Hiram W. Gage, wounded. 

Company B. 
Sergeant Charles W. Hopkins (4th Me.), wounded; Charles A. 
Chandler, wounded, died July 2nd at Corps Hospital; Erastus T. 
Wilson, wounded. 

Company C. 
Sergeant Preston J. Carter (4th Me.), killed with colors in his 
hand; Alfred Keene, killed; Orrin Sargent, killed; Asa Douglas (4th 
Me.), wounded; Albert Grover (4th Me.), wounded; Albert J. Gray, 
wounded. 

Company D. 
Oliver Cromwell, wounded; Henry Martin, (4th Me.) wounded. 

Company E. 
Judah Cilley, wounded, died in Carver General Hospital, August 
30th; John C. Pinkham, wounded. 

Company F. 
Corporal Richard H. Spear, killed, June 23rd; Corporal John 
Day Smith, wounded; Thomas Hefferan, wounded. 

Company G. 
Corporal Charles R. Powers, wounded, died July 22nd, David's 
Island, N. Y. Harbor; George F. Doe, wounded, June 23rd; Daniel B. 
Hanson, wounded; Corporal Orrin P. Smart, wounded, June 23rd. 

Company I. 
Corporal Otis Little, killed; Corporal Harrison B. Bowley, 
wounded. 

Company K. 
Sergeant George E. Grows, wounded, died July 7th, 1864; Ser- 
geant Stephen P. Trafton, wounded; Corporal Charles B. Flinn, 
wounded; Albert W. Bryer (4th Me.), wounded, died July 7th, 1864; 
Amasa P. Jackson, wounded; John S. Chapman, wounded, died of 
wounds, July 27th; John H. Williams, wounded. 

.; PRISONERS. 

Company A . 
Corporal Perham Heald. 

Privates — Richard AUum (4th Me.), Geo. H. Baker (4th Me.), 
William Crosby, (4th Me.), died in Andersonville Sept. 12th, 1864; 
Benjamin F. Charles, John R. George, Sylvanus B. Hatch (4th Me.), 



212 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Joseph F. Ingalls, George VV. Jackson (4th Me), Henry Leavitt, died 
Andersonville, Sept. 12th, 1864 (other reports state died Nov. 1st, 
1864); John W. Header, M. W. McManus (4th Me.), WiUiam H. Not- 
tage, Joseph A. Overlook, Sanford B. Sylvester (4th Me.), Manuel 
Sidelinger (4th Me.), Bradford B. Wells, David Williams. 

Company B. 

Judson Dexter (4th Me.), Edwin O. Sanborn. 
Company D. 

Sergeant John F. Frost; Corporal Levi M. Poor. 

Privates — Oliver Cromwell, died October 18, 1864; Joseph E. 
Clark, (4th Me.), died in prison, October 2; James B. Eaton, (4th Me.), 
Hiram B. Hofifses, died at Andersonville, December 27tli, 1864; John 
Huzzey, John Jones, William F. Moody, Charles W. Merrill (4th Me.), 
Myrick Perham, John F. Russ (4th Me.), John A. White, died Ander- 
sonville, October 1st. 

Company E. 

John Carr, died in prison, September ISth; Augustus Campbell, 
Henry N. Tyzaac. 

Company F. 

Sergeant Philip H. Foster. 

Privates — J. C. Briggs, died at Andersonville, August 8th; 
Patrick Bray (4th Me.), N. O. Gowell, died Andersonville, January 
11th, 1865; William Howard, Maxim Layois, Freeman Jones (4th Me.), 
Isaac Jordon (4th Me.), died Andersonville prison, Feb. 6, '65; Charles 
A. Wood (4th Me.). 

Company G. 

James Ballard, died Andersonville prison, Oct. 11, '64, erronaously 
reported deserted; William H. Jackman, Peter Lee, Alfred J. Marston, 
died at Andersonville, September 12th. 

Company H. 

Charles Prescott, died Andersonville, January 7th, 1865. 
Company I. 

Corporal Warren B. Thorndike, died Andersonville, March 20th, 
1865; Corporal Alden W. Dyer, Joseph Boardway (4th Me.), Augus- 
tus Burgin, (4th Me.), died Andersonville prison, Sept. 11th, '64; 
Francis Kelley, Jeremiah Kelley, (4th Me.), died Andersonville prison, 
Oct. 28th; Andrew J. Miles, Francis Mulligan, Joseph H. Norton, 
Elijah Ware, J. B. Walker, Edwin Savage, Andrew Springer, G. E. 
Sherwood. 

Company K. 

Corporal Nathaniel C. McFarland, wounded and prisoner, died An- 
dersonville March 13, '65; Reuben Gibbs, died, Andersonville prison, 
January 23rd, 1865. 

RECAPITULATION. 

Killed and mortally wounded - - - - - - 12 

Wounded, not fatally ---.... 19 

Prisoneis, of whom at least 18 died in prison . _ . 66 

Total - - 97 

Concerning the engagement of June 22nd, B. F. Fairbanks, 
of Company H, writes: "The Confederates made a sudden 
and unexpected dash upon us from the left flank and rear and 
captured portions of the Fifteenth, Nineteenth and Twentieth 



BATTLE OF JERUSALEM PLANK RO^P 215 

lyiassachusetts Regiments and a goodly number of the Nine- 
teenth Maine. To save ourselves, we were obliged to fall back 
from our works. After a short time we re-formed, when a 
charge was ordered, and Captain Spaulding led us. The enemy 
made a stubborn resistance, but was finally driven back over 
our works. I remember distinctly of seeing the cook of one 
of the company officers coming up to us with a gun in his hands 
as we were about to charge. He had been taking a little too 
much firewater and was full of fight. I noticed him a little 
to my left and I do not think he knew which company he was 
in, or where he belonged. I saw him afterward fall, mortally 
wounded. In this charge a ball struck my cartridge box and 
a minute later one struck the barrel of my rifle. The firing kept 
up between the lines until late in the night. The pitch on a 
dry tree, a few rods in front of us, had caught fire by some 
means and made quite an illumination. It was after dark, 
and this fire gave the enemy a little better view of us at this 
point. I heard some oificer order a soldier to go and put out 
the fire, with a canteen of water. In obeying the order, the 
soldier succeeded in partly extinguishing the blaze. The 
same officer sent a second soldier to see what had become of the 
first. The second soldier found the first one dead near the tree 
and he himself was wounded before he got back to our lines." 

Corporal W. S.Vinal, of Company I, who was taken^prisoner 
on this occasion, gives the following description of his exper- 
iences : 

"On'the 22nd day of June, *64, the Regiment was lying in front 
of Petersburg near the plank road, where ;the enemy made an attack on 
the left, broke the Union line and captured some 2000 prisoners, fifty- 
five being from the Nineteenth Maine. The most of them were taken 
from the right of the Regiment. We were marched to rebel headquarters 
where they deprived us of our haversacks, shelter tents and blankets — 
what I called putting us in light marching order. Then some of us 
who were captured on the right of the line were marched into the city 
Petersburg and confined in some buildings along the river which were 
used before the war for tobacco warehouses. Those taken from the 
left of the line were held above the city, and on the following morning 
we joined them. On the 24th of June we were taken to Richmond, 
where some were placed in Libby Prison and the others were sent to 
Belle Island, in the James river. This is where the boys of the Regi- 
ment were separated. I was confined with those who were in Libby, 
V here we remained about one week. During this time we were taken 
in to a room, a tew at a time, and searched for money or anything o £ 



il4 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

value, which was taken from us. From Libby Prison we were sent jay, 
train to Lynchburg. A few days before we arrived there our cavalry 
made a sweep down through that country and tore up about twenty 
miles of railroad track between Lynchburg and Danville, so when we 
got to Lynchburg we had to march from there to Danville, a distance 
of about seventy miles. We were given three days' rations for the 
march through and were four days making the distance. Our rations 
lasted about two days, so the last two days we had to go without any- 
thing to eat. We reached Danville the night of the Fourth of July and 
left there the 6th, arriving at Andersonville on the 9th of July. At 
that time there were about twenty thousand prisoners confined there, 
and from that time on they were bringing in new prisoners about every 
day. The same day I reached there I was talking with one of the old 
prisoners, who told me he was from the Nineteenth Maine, I think, of 
Company F.i As I remember, he Said he was captured at Gettysburg, 
on the skirmish line, July 3rd, 1863. He was on Belle Island the winter 
before, and the spring after the stockade was built he was sent down to 
Andersonville. I don't know whether he got home or not. They com- 
menced to take prisoners out of Andersonville about the first of Septem- 
ber. At that time there were about 3000 men taken from the stockade 
and sent around to different prisons, and this was where our boys be- 
came separated. There was quite a number of us kept together, and 
we were the last ones to get out of the stockade. About the middle of 
October we were sent to Millen and placed in the stockade there. It 
was about ninety miles from Savannah. We remained there until 
November. I suppose the reason for moving us from place to place was 
to keep us away from Sherman's Army. We were taken out of the 
Millen prison about the middle of November and were informed that 
we were to be removed to Savannah for parole. We left the prison 
about eight o'clock one cold and stormy night, but remained at the 
station until nearly morning, when we were placed on the train and 
sent to Savannah. We arrived there in the afternoon, and then were 
taken a short distance from the station and placed in a field, with a 
guard around us, where we were kept until the following day. It was 
very cold. Eleven of the boys, those who were weakest and feeblest, 
were frozen during the night. The next afternoon we were loaded on 
to some platform cars. I now supposed that we were going down the 
river to be paroled, but the next day we brought up at Blackshear, 
about ninety miles south of Savannah. Here we were taken some 
distance from the town, near a stream. A guard was placed around the 
encampment and artillery was also stationed at different points. Here 
were collected about 6000 prisoners within this enclosure. One day 
they brought us tables and writing materials, took out 3000, paroled 
them and sent them to Savannah. Next day they took another thou- 
sand and paroled them. They did not send them away, but kept them 
by themselves. The next day they put the last thousand, which they 
did not send away, in with the rest of the prisoners. On the following 
day, the second thousand they sent to Savannah, and the first thousand 
they sent away. I learned afterwards they carried them to Salisbury, 
North Carolina. We remained at Blackshear a short time, when we 
were packed again into box cars and sent down to Thomasville and 
put into about such a place as we had at Blackshear. After remaining 
here for two or three weeks, one morning we had orders to 'fall in,' and 
we were compelled to march to Albany, a distance of seventy-five miles. 

1 This man was probably Corporal George W. Andrews, Com- 
pany G; Eli Noyes, Company B, or John H. Estes, Company H. 



BATTLE OF JERUSALEM PLANK ROAD 215 

From Albany we. took the train- to Andersonville, arriving there De- 
cember 25th, '64. In this awful place we remained until the. next 
spring. There were about 8,000 prisoners in this stockade during the 
winter. The Confederates commenced to take the prisoners out again 
the last of March and send them through to Vicksburg. They sent- 
through that way 4,000 and the rest of us remained in the stockade until 
April 22nd, 1865, when they commenced to take us out again. A 
number of the Nineteenth men came out among the last thousand. 
About nine o'clock on the morning of April 22nd we were placed on a 
box car and remained there until the next morning, when we were 
sent down to Albany, a small village about forty miles south of Ander- 
sonville. From there we marched through to Thomasville, about 
seventy-five miles from Abany, and then took the train to Lakeside, 
Florida, where we arrived on the 27th of April. That night a quarter- 
master came into camp and told us we were to draw two days' rations 
and on the next morning we were to be sent into our lines. We drew 
our rations that night, and on the following morning two trains came 
down from the city and took about one-half of our number and carried 
them out on the road forty miles to a station called Baldwin. They 
returned and took the remainder of us about three o'clock. We reached 
Baldwin about five o'clock and remained there about an hour. 
At last — Oh! at last — they told us to go, and we went without a second 
invitation. We tramped on through their picket line, which was about 
one half-mile from the station, and followed the railroad through to 
Jacksonville, Florida, a distance of about twenty-five miles. We went 
within a few miles of the city that night and the next morning went into 
the city. We were about as ragged and dirty a set of fellows as you 
could wish to see. W^e got into Jacksonville the morning of the 29th of 
April, remained there about a week and were sent home and discharged 
from the service. Many of our regiment — among them Corporal Levi 
M. Poor, of Company D, residing at Agusta, went into our lines via 
Vicksburg. 

"I have purposely omitted from this account the scenes of in- 
describable cruelty, suffering and horror in those awful prison pens. 
No one can ever know what our boys suffered, except the knowledge 
be had through bitter experience. It all comes back to me like an 
awful nightmare after all the years that have passed since the long 
months of hunger, sickness and brutality." 

This somewhat extended statement of Corporal Vinal is 
given because it is a fair sample of the experiences of our men, 
captured on the 22nd of June. 

Another soldier of the Nineteenth, captured on the same 
day, writes: 

"The first man I met on the inside of the stockade at 
Andersonville, whom 1 knew, was our Sergeant-Major, W. A. 
Wood. He looked at us as we marched into the prison, and, 
with tears in his eyes, said: 'My God, boys, you don't know 
what a terrible place you have come to.' You remember what 
a clean, neat young fellow our Sergeant-Major was. Well, he 
looked then like all the rest of us. I was impressed by the 



3l6 TH^ NlI>!Ei:^El!^TH j^i^l>^J ReCIft^ENT 

expression pf hopelessness jn the faces of nearly all of the pris- 
oners.'' 

On the 2yd of June the Regiment moved somewhat to 
the right, where there was sharp picket firing in the afternoon, 
t^t no general engagement. Sergeant Richard H. Spear, of 
Company F, was killed in the afternoon by a sharpshooter 
while dividing up rations for the company. Sergeant Spear 
v/as a young man of education and promise and exceptionally 
brave in the face of danger. There was some terrific cannon- 
ading between the lines on the morning of the 24th, and by noon 
the Regiment was relieved. On Saturday, June 25th, we 
rested all day in the hot sand. There was heavy firing, both 
artillery and infantry, at night on the right. It was a very hot 
day, and the movement of the troops and wagons kept the air 
filled with clouds of dust. The Regiment, together with the 
Brigade, early in the day of June 27th, moved toward the 
left flank of the army and formed in line of battle. We were 
sent out in support of the picket line, where we remained until 
six o'clock the next afternoon, when we were relieved and 
rejoined the Brigade. On the 29th we again moved to the 
front with the Brigade and relieved a portion of the Sixth Corps, 
occupying the breastworks which they had built. Here we 
remained until July ist. It was cloudy, hot and dusty. The 
Regiment was mustered at ten o'clock the 30th of June — the 
lists being made on old slips of paper. On the night of July ist 
an attempt was made at dress-parade. It was a parade, but 
the men looked like tramps. The next day we moved about 
half a mile to the right and formed line of battle in support of 
the line occupying the breastworks there. We remained 
some time in this place. The only celebration of the Fourth of 
July consisted in throwing a few shells into Petersburg. It 
was almost impossible to obtain water suitable for drinking 
purposes. On the 5th there was considerable picket firing, and 
on the 7th heavy cannonading to the right. July 8th we re- 
ceived the joyful news of the destruction of the "Alabama," 
the Confederate privateer, and the somewhat startling news of 
the invasion of Maryland and the threatening of Washington 
by the Confederate General Early, who had quietly withdrawn 



BATTLE OF JERUSi^LEM Pt^lSK RpAP 2L7 

{rom the iptr^ncbm^nts at Cold Harbor on the 13th gf June and 
sorted northvyard for ^he Shenandoah Valley. The details for 
work on the fortifications >yere heavy during these days. The 
troops of our Division on the 9th of July moved into the works 
in the front, relieving the Sixth G)rps, which had been sum- 
moned to take steamers for Washington to beat back Early's 
troops from Maryland soil. 

On June iith, 1864, General Burnside wrote to General 
Meade, complaining that one William Swinton, a correspondent 
of the New York Times, had written to his paper a libel upon the 
Ninth Corps and upon himself. He requested from General 
Meade the privilege of having Swinton arrested and paraded 
through the camps of his corps with a placard marked : " Libeler 
of the Press," and expelled from the lines of the army. This 
was a dose of medicine that had been administered to one 
Edward Crapsey, a correspondent of the Philadelphia En- 
quirer, five days previously. 

Mr. Swinton was a scholarly man of excellent character, 
but quite free in his criticism of the generals in command of 
the troops in what he regarded as useless slaughter of the men. 
He possessed the art of compressing into a sentence or para- 
graph a bit of characterization that would long cling to a man 
through weal or woe. He had referred to Meade's "excessive 
circumspection" and written of a certain battle: ' Where, oh 
where, meanwhile, was Burnside!" He thus incurred the 
wrath of Burnside and, later, the hostility of General Meade. 

On July 6th, 1864, Swinton, together with a correspondent 
of the New York Tribune, was ordered to leave the army, the 
order having been made by General Meade, at the direction of 
General Grant. After the war, Swinton wrote "The Cam- 
paigns of the Army of the Potomac" and numerous other books, 
and later became professor of belles lettres in the University of 
California. General Grant, in his "Memoirs," speaks of Mr. 
Swinton as having "surreptitiously followed the army." In 
the order expelling him, however, he is designated as a "duly 
registered correspondent." 

Mr. Swinton is, concededly, one of the fairest and most ac- 
curate historians of the war. In speaking of Swinton's History, 



2l8 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT ' 

General Hancock wrote, after the war, that he believed "that 
the Army of the Potomac had been fortunate in its historian 
and that Swinton's array of facts will not hereafter be surpassed 
in accuracy." 

After the expulsion from the army of Mr. Crapsey and Mr. 
Swinton, many of the newspaper correspondents in writing of 
the movements of the Army of the Potomac would not make 
any mention of General Meade, by name, nor make any refer- 
ence to him. No doubt General Meade suffered in reputation 
from the disguised hostility of many Northern papers. His 
haughty, disagreeable manners were, no doubt, partly respon- 
sible for this condition of things. Early in the campaign. 
May 13, 1864, General Grant wrote to Secretary Stanton as 
follows; "General Meade has more than met my most san- 
guine expectations. He and Sherman are the fittest officers 
for large commands I have ever come in contact with." In 
the summer of 1885, when writing his Personal Memoirs, and 
on his death bed. General Grant placed on record the following 
estimate of General Meade: "He was an officer of great merit, 
with drawbacks to his usefulness that were beyond his control, 
* * * * He was unfortunately of a temper that would get 
beyond his control, at times, and make him speak to officers 
of high rank in a most offensive manner. No one saw this 
fault more plainly than he himself and no one regretted it 
more. This made it unpleasant at times, even in battle, for 
those around him to approach him even with information. In 
spite of this defect, he was a most valuable officer and de- 
serves a high place in the annals of his country." 

Charles A. Dana, in writing from City Point to Secretary 
Stanton, under date of July 7th, 1864, made the following 
severe criticism of General Meade: 

"A change in the commander of the Army of the Potomac now seems 
probable. Grant has great confidence in Meade, and is much attached 
to him personally, but the most universal dislike of Meade which pre- 
vails among the officers of every rank who come in contact with him, 
and the difficulty of doing business with him felt by every one except 
Grant himself, so greatly impair his capacities for usefulness and render 
success imder his command so doubtful that Grant seems to be coming 
to the conviction that he must be relieved. The facts in the matter 
have come very slowly to my knowledge, and it was not until yesterday 
that I became certain of some of the most important. I have long 



BATTLE OF JERUSALEM PLANK ROAD ^IQ 

knpwn. Meade to be a man of the worst possible temper, especially 
towards his subordinates. I do not think he has a friend in the army. 
No man, no matter what his business or his service, approaches hirn 
without being insulted in one way or another, and his own staff officers 
do not dare to speak to him, unless first spoken to, for fear of either 
sneers or curses. The latter, however, I have never heard him indulge 
in very violently, but he is said to apply them often without occasion 
and without reason. At the same time, as far as I am a,ble to ascertain, 
his generals have lost their confidence in him as a commander. His 
order for the last series of assaults upon Petersburg, in which he lost 
10,000 men without gaining any decisive advantage, was to the effect 
that he had found it impracticable to secure the cooperation of corps 
commanders, and therefore each one was to attack on his own account 
and do the best he could by himself. ***** 

For instance, I know that General Wright has said to a confidential 
friend that all of Meade's attacks have been made without brains and 
without generalship. The subject came to pretty full discussion at 
Grant's headquarters last night on occasion of a correspondence be- 
tween Meade and Wilson ******* 
This started the conversation in which Grant expressed himself quite 
frankly as to the general trouble with Meade and his fear that it would 
become necessary to relieve him. In such event, he said, it would be 
necessary to put Hancock in command." 

Mr. Dana was at this time Assistant Secretary of War 
and was with the army for the purpose of communicating con- 
fidentially with the President and Mr. Stanton respecting the 
progress and outlook of the campaign being prosecuted by 
the Army of the Potomac. While the statements of Mr. Dana 
as to the hostile attitude of the officers of the army toward 
General Meade are doubtless somewhat exaggerated, yet they re- 
veal somewhat the sentiments of General Grant and other 
officers high in command. Mr. Dana's letter is inserted here 
for the further reason that it shows General Grant's high esti- 
mate of General Hancock, the popular commander of the Second 
Corps. Late in July, General Grant addressed the following 
letter to President Lincoln : 

"City Point, Va., July 25th, 1864. 

President A. Lincoln: After the late raid into Maryland had ex- 
pended itself, seeing the necessity of having the four departments of 
the Susquehanna, the Middle, West Virginia, and Washington under 
one head, I recommend that they be merged into one. * * * 
It would suit me equally well to call the four departments referred to, 
a military division, and to have placed in command of it General Meade. 
In this case, I would suggest General Hancock for the command of the 
Army of the Potomac, and General Gibbon for the command of the 
Second Corps. 

"Hoping that you will see this matter in the light I do, I have the 
honor to subscribe myself, etc., 

"U. S. GRANT. Lieutenant-General." 



220 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

It is evident that this recommendation did not appeal very 
strongly to the President, because he never acted upon it. 
President Lincoln was wiser than General Grant. 



DEEP BOTTOM AND STRAWBERRY PLAINS 221 



CHAPTER XIII. 



BATTLES OF DEEP BOTTOM AND STRAWBERRY 
PLAINS. 

On July 9th, Captain Spaulding, who was in command of 
the Regiment, was detailed for court-martial duty at the 
Second Corps headquarters. He records in his diary that on 
the trial of a Commissary of subsistence, General Barlow ap- 
peared as a witness for the prosecution and General Miles for 
the defense. On July iith. Captain Spaulding states that 
Barlow appeared as counsel for another officer, who was being 
tried by this august court, and made a most eloquent plea in 
his behalf. 

Just before daylight on the morning of the 12th, the Corps 
withdrew from the trenches and marched to the left and rear 
for nearly a mile and closed en masse, near the Williams house. 
It was terribly hot. We remained there all day and until the 
next morning, when the Brigade marched about a mile and a 
half to the right and formed in two lines. Here we laid out a 
regular camp and policed the grounds. Stumps were cut down 
and the company streets leveled. The men wondered whether 
this laborious task was imposed upon them for the purpose of 
preparing a camp in which to stop some time and rest, or 
whether it was done simply to keep them at work and prevent 
them from resting. When we moved, a couple of days later, 
the opinion seemed to be unanimous that it was done for the 
latter purpose. 

On the night of the 15th there was a light rain, which cooled 
the air after a long hot spell. Constant complaint was made by 
the men that they were unable to obtain decent drinking water. 
On Sunday, July 17th, religious services were held in the even- 
ing. On this day a First Lieutenant's commission in Company 
A, was received by Second Lieutenant Henry Sewell. Captain 



>j22 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Appomattox at Pen of RoUs^^^ ™--g °f J"'^ ^^h and 
crossed the rwer at su Bermuda Hundred on 

proceeded tow-d Deep Bo tomjeav, g^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^ 

the right. Barlows U™^' ' jo^^ bridges at the 

column, --'^e^he ow o t^^^^^ ^^P^^ ^.^,^^^ .^ ^,^ . 

northern part o Jones Nee we marched between the Ap- 

,ng. ■■ Th,s '""7:^ 7 J,^ „,, o^d occupied by Butler's 
r" General^ G^ntaU that' by reason of its position, 
^S's command was as useless for offensive operations as 
if it had been in a bottle, strongly corked_ 

There were two bridges across he amerver, ^^^^ 

and one below Bailey \"'''\.J^l"'f, ^^,, The Second 
long, runs due south and en^-Pt es "« the a-e- .^ ^^^ 

Corps crossed the ower br, ge a s o^sev ^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^ 
morning. The pontoon "ndge ° ^^^^i 

.HicUly »vjt:;t 'te anTthTtheeis of th'e artillery. 
^''r'T^n Soa^Mng in his official report as the command- 
• 7 r of ^he Regiment, states that, after crossing the river 
mg officer of the Kegimei , _ Regiment was soon after 

early on the morning of July. 7th. tl-Regmi^ ^,^^ 
deployed as ^^.^ishers and. advanang^ne ^ ^^^.^^^^ ^^^ 

'''^ ^eTlheTigrd frdarrih": Zo following days the 
rejomed he Br^S ^^, ^^^ ^^ployed in bui d- 

Regiment <^"^ "°' "\^" „„:„_ ^p earthworks." Our position 
ing breastworks ^"^^'"^1°^'"^"^' ,ine, with Barlow on our 

°"''diatngr nihe rllinTof Jui; ^Sth our Divi^on 
TXved b! a portion of the Eighteenth Corps and marched 



DEEP BOTTOM AND STRAWBERRY PLAINS 223 

to the right, in support of General Sheridan. Our left was then 
on the New Market and Long Bridge road. Sheridan drove the 
enemy from his front, so we had no serious work to do. 

During the 27th and 28th of July, the gunboat " Mendota" 
did very effective work, firing over our lines fifteen-inch shells. 
These projectiles generally landed where they were most needed 
and kept the "Johnnies" sidestepping in a very lively manner. 

Our only loss in the engagement at Deep Bottom, July 
25th to 28th, was Lewis Ordway, (4th Me.), of Company A, 
who was mortally wounded and died July 28th. 

This is sometimes called the First Deep Bottom engage- 
ment, inasmuch as the battle of Strawberry Plains, fought the 
middle of August, 1864. is often called the Battle of Deep 
Bottom. 

By this expedition to the north side of the James, Grant 
hoped that Hancock and Sheridan might together' break 
through the enemy's lines and attempt to capture Richmond by 
a sudden dash. If we failed in that, it was believed that the 
demonstration would draw a large force from Lee's army to the 
north side of the James, and thus prepare the way for exploding 
Burnside's mine in front of Petersburg. In one way the move- 
ment was a success. More than one-half of the Confederate 
army was drawn to the north side of the James river. General 
Grant rode along our line on the afternoon of July 27th. The 
First Division captured a few prisoners and four splendid 
twenty-pound Parrotts, with their caissons. This was regarded 
as a pretty good exchange for McKnight's guns, captured from 
us on the Jerusalem plank road. The loss of the Second Corps 
on this expedition was some less than two hundred, of which 
forty-five occurred in our Division. 

We recrossed the James on the night of July 29th and 
marched all night, arriving in the rear of the Eighteenth Corps, 
in front of Petersburg, early in the morning of July 30th. The 
Nineteenth saw from a distance the explosion of the "Burnside 
mine." We could see the dirt, smoke and debris in the air and 
hear the crashing roar of the artillery. That was all. A kind 
Providence kept the Second Corps out of this day's disgrace. 
At dark we moved back to the same position we had occupied 



224 THE NINETEENTH MAIIQE REGIMEI^T 

before starting for Deep Bottom. The Regiment remained 
here until Friday, August 12th, heavy details being made daily 
for fatigue duty. 

August 4th was National Fast day, and no unnecessary 
work was done on that day. On Sunday, August 7th, the 
Nineteenth attended religious services at Division headquarters. 
A single regiment of seventy-five or a hundred tired, dirty 
soldiers would not inspire much enthusiasm for a Chaplain's 
sermon, so it came about that religious services were frequently 
held at Division or Brigade headquarters. 

There is not much pleasure in describing our second ex- 
pedition to Deep Bottom. It is now conceded by all that it 
was planned through a misconception of the facts and executed 
without adequate preparation. As one of the men expressed 
it, we "lit out" at three o'clock in the afternoon of August 12th 
and, after a hard march, our Corps arrived at City Point at ten 
o'clock, and bivouacked for the night. At four o'clock in the 
afternoon of August 13th, all of the infantry of the Second Corps, 
with the intention of deceiving the enemy, embarked on board 
of transports. The idea was to encourage the belief that we 
were going to Washington, and that was what General Grant 
wanted the "Johnnies" to think. The "Daniel Webster," 
" Prometheus," "Columbia," and "City of Albany" were among 
the steamers on which we embarked. Having gone down the 
James river about five miles, we then, at ten o'clock at night, 
turned and steamed up again to Deep Bottom. It was a 
terribly hot night and the mosquitoes were distressingly thick. 
The men of the Regiment who were present in this expedition 
may forget battles and the details of campaigns, but they will 
always remember the experiences of this night and the scorch- 
ing heat of the next day. The men could neither sleep nor rest. 
The transports arrived at Jones' Neck near Deep Bottom, 
just before daylight on Sunday morning, the 14th of August. 

Engineers or quartermasters or somebody else had for- 
gotten that it would not be the proper thing for the soldiers to 
jump into the James river and swim ashore. The tide had 
gone out, the water was low and one of the larger steamers 
grounded. Many of the transports were ill-adapted to this use. 



DEEP BOTTOM AND STRAWBERRY PLAINS 



21^ 



A few hght-draught river steamers would have been of great 
service at this time. No wharf or platform had been construct- 
ed upon which the troops could land. One of the smaller 
steamers was run close to the shore and used as a sort of a 
bridge over which some of the soldiers from the larger steamers 
landed. Some time from six to seven o'clock, our Division 
now under command of Colonel Thomas A. Smyth, went ashore 
in sight of the enemy's scouts, on the other side of Jones' Neck 
toward Chap.n's Bluff. Well, the men felt a good deal like 
boys who had stolen around and come up to the old farmer's 
melon patch from the rear and saw the farmer, with a bulldog 
and shotgun, calmly looking over the fence into their faces aT^d 
wearing a smile that was not reassuring. 

General Birney, who was in command of the Tenth Corps 

was operating with his troops on the west side of Bailey's creek ' 

He broke through a portion of the enemy's line and captured 

our guns and some prisoners. He crossed to the east side of 

the creek on the 15th and joined Hancock's forces 

After a short stop at the landing place, we marched across 
Strawberry Plains toward the New Market road. The old 
Pottery, where the Regiment was a little more than two weeH 
before, was on our left. Here the Regiment formed in line of 
battle and remained until afternoon. The heat was simoly 
UA^'fT''^' ^°' ^""'^^ successive days no rain of any account 
had fallen. Springs had dried up and the land was parched and 
dry. Clouds of dust were raised by the tramping soldiers, and 
everything partook of the color of the soil. As the Nineteenth 
pushed out toward the New Market road, men dead and men 
dying from sunstroke were lying by the sides of the road. 

A little after noon our Brigade was sent to help out Genera] 
Barlow. The Regiments of the Brigade were massed in a corn- 
tield, near an old roadway that led into the New Market road 
A portion of Barlow's Division had been ordered forward and 
had been driven back by the enemy. General Barlow had 
command now of both the First and Second Divisions. After 
he was unable to accomplish anything with his own Division he 
ordered up our Brigade, now commanded by Colonel Macy' of 
the Twentieth Massachusetts, to make an assault on the enemy's 



226 THE NINETEENTH MEINA GEGLMLNT 

line. This attack upon the enemy was near Fussell's Mill. 
General Hancock in his report states that he expected Barlow 
to attack with the greater portion of his two Divisions. Instead 
of doing that, and after his own Division had failed him, he 
ordered our small Brigade to attack the enemy's line. The 
following description of this charge is thus recorded in Captain 
Spaulding's diary: 

"In making this charge, it appeared that our losses were fearful. 
There was a deep gulch between the point of starting and the enemy's 
line. The hills on each side were very steep. These hills were covered 
with running blackberry vines, which tripped the men in running down 
hill, causing very many of them to fall. At that time it was thought 
that all of these men were killed or wounded by the fire of the enemy. 
At the bottom, two ditches or streams ran along, about four rods apart. 
The Nineteenth Maine and First Minnesota crossed the first and advanced 
to the^second, which was right under the enemy's works. We saw 
nothing all day long of any general or stai^ officers. After dark, I 
directed Captain Parsons tQ go back to the other ditch and down that 
to the left to find the Brigade. He did so and went on until he reached 
hearing distance of the enemy, and found that the Brigade had retired 
without rendering us notice or orders. The Nineteenth Maine and First 
Minnesota then retired to within the new lines, and late at night found 
the^Brigade." 

Captain Spaulding, in his official report of the Battle of 
Strawberry Plains, commends "the bravery and noble daring 
of Sergeant Clarendon W. Gray, Color-Sergeant of the Regi- 
ment." Sergeant Gray was from Stockton, entering the service 
in 1861, when eighteen years of age, in Company 1, Fourth 
Maine Regiment, and two months before this battle was trans- 
ferred to the Nineteenth. He was promoted, December 2nd, 
1864, to be Second Lieutenant of Company B. 

Captain Parsons, in "Maine at Gettysburg," thus describes 
the movements of the Regiment during this expedition: 

V "Toward night of the 13th it went on board transports, which 
dropped down the river a few miles and lay at anchor until in the night, 
whenthey turned and steamed up river to Strawberry Plains, where early 
in the morning of the 14th it disembarked and marched to Deep Bottom; 
after considerable delay it formed line of battle along Bailey's creek at 
right angles to the river, the Tenth Corps on the left. The Nineteenth 
formed the extreme right of the becond Corps, reaching Fassett's 
mill with Gregg's Cavalry Division on the right flank. General 
Barlow, who was to make the attack, as he was desirous of winning 
promotion, had been placed in command of the First and Second 
Divisions of the Second Corps. He had succeeded in getting only the 
extreme right Brigade in position when the attack was ordered. The 
line was formed just back of the crest of a ridge; in front was a deep 



DEEP BOTTOM AND STRAWBERRY PLAINS 227 

ravine, through which flowed the creek below the mill. The enemy 
was posted in rifle-pits on the opposite crest. Colonel Macy, who com- 
manded the Brigade, remaining on his horse, on ground where no officer 
could go moimted, was soon injured by the stumbling of his horse and 
taken to the rear. The command to charge having been given, the 
Brigade advanced double-quick; the left soon entered a heavy timber, 
the right moving over the crest, down the open bluff, across the creek, 
where it was obstructed by a thicket of underbrush so dense that a 
single man could not penetrate without difficulty. The only opening 
through this thicket was a narrow cart-road. The Regiment halted 
immediately under the rifle-pits of the enemy, where it remained until 
after dark not receiving any communication from general or staff- 
officers. Finding itself deserted by the troops on its left, without orders 
it withdrew by the right flank across the mill-dam and joined its Divi- 
sion in the rear. On the 18th it was under a severe artillery fire when 
two attacks were made^by the enemy on jour line." 

General Barlow, who commanded the right portion of the 
line, thus complains of the soldiers : 

"None of the troops that came under my observation that 
day behaved with their usual vigor and gallantry under fire." 

He distinctly states in his report that his own Division 
would not do his bidding, and then adds: 

"Therefore, 1 ordered the First Brigade of the Second 
Division to advance upon the works." 

In this charge. Major Patten, commanding the Twentieth 
Massachusetts, was mortally wounded. The Regiment on 
subsequent days was not engaged, but was under severe artil- 
lery fire. 

A Brigade of cavalry, including the First Maine, under 
command of General Irvin Gregg, did some brilliant work on 
August 1 6th on our right. They charged in column of fours 
across the creek, capturing the enemy's intrenchments, and 
chased the "Johnnies" up the Charles City road to White 
Tavern, about six miles from Richmond. The Confederate 
General Chambliss was killed in this engagement, and his 
body was buried by our men. Under a flag of truce, the 
enemy subsequently carried the body of General Chambliss 
within its own lines. 

While waiting in this locality, some of the boys had a 
genuine feast on apples and green corn. 

Colonel Chaplin, of the First Maine Heavy Artillery, was 
mortally wounded on the picket line on the 17th of August — 
probably shot by a Confederate sharpshooter. General De 



228 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Trobriand, his Brigade commander, subsequently stated that 
Colonel Chaplin was struck "a mortal blow" on the i8th of 
June, at Petersburg, by the useless "butchery" of his Regiment. 
When Colonel Chaplin saw his men "sacrificed under his eyes 
by a fantasy as deadly as useless, a melancholy discouragement 
took hold of him." He was a brave officer and greatly loved 
by his Regiment. 

During the night of the i6th, General Grant ordered a 
fleet of steamers from City Point to Deep Bottom. These 
steamers returned to City Point before daylight on the following 
morning. The object of this display was to convey the im- 
pression to the enemy that the Union force was withdrawing 
and induce him to come out of his works and attack. The ruse 
was not successful. The troops opposed to the Union forces 
were the Divisions of Field, Wilcox and Mahone, with Hamp- 
ton's and W. H. F. Lee's Cavalry Divisions. At the same 
time that General Hancock was operating north of the James, 
General Warren was pushing for the right flank of the Confed- 
erate army on the Weldon railroad. These movements kept 
General Lee guessing as to where the next attempt would be 
made on his widely extended lines. 

At dark on August 20th, we started back across the James, 
our Division leading. We crossed the upper pontoon bridge 
and moved on toward Petersburg. 

The loss of the Second Corps in this expedition was report- 
ed as 915 killed, wounded and missing. This engagement is 
sometimes called the "Battle of Strawberry Plains," and 
sometimes "Deep Bottom." Strawberry Plains covers quite 
an extent of territory somewhat nearer the James than the 
place where the severest fighting had occurred. It was nearer 
the battlefield, however, than Deep Bottom. Shortly before 
the close of the war, General Meade issued General Order No. 10, 
from headquarters, Army of the Potomac, prescribing the 
battles each regiment would be entitled to place upon its flags. 
Among the names of the battles in which it had "borne a meri- 
torious part," the Nineteenth Maine Volunteers was ordered to 
inscribe upon the colors of the Regiment the battle of "Straw- 
berry Plains." The last engagement described in this narrative 



DEEP BOTTOM AND STRAWBERRY PLAINS 229 

is the only battle that can properly be designated by that name. 

This engagement at Strawberry Plains was the last in 
which General D. B. Birney figured. He entered the service 
in April, 1861, as Lieutenant-Colonel of the Twenty-Third 
Pennsylvania Infantry, and was promoted through the 
successive grades, and became a Major-General before 
the Battle of Gettysburg. In the Battle of Strawberry 
Plains, he was in command of the Tenth Corps, to which 
position he was assigned on the 23rd of July. Gen- 
eral Birney started out in the beginning of the Wil- 
derness campaign as commander of the Third Division, 
Second Army Corps. Once or twice he had been temporarily 
in command of the Second Corps. He was regarded as an able 
and successful Division commander. Brigadier-General Wil- 
liam Birney, a brother of David B., commanded a Brigade of 
colored troops in the Tenth Corps. In connection with General 
Terry, he had advanced his Brigade against the enemy's works 
above Fussell's mill and carried them, but the troops were un- 
able to hold them for any great length of time. 

These brothers were born in Alabama and were sons of 
James G. Birney, who was also a Southern man by birth, but 
who was driven out of the South because of his anti-slavery 
views. As a candidate of the Liberal party, James G. Birney 
ran for President in 1840 and 1844. On October loth, 1864, 
General D. B. Birney, broken in health by reason of the ex- 
posure and hardships of the campaign, reluctantly asked for a 
leave of absence from the army. He went to his home in 
Philadelphia, where he died October i8th, 1864. His brother, 
William Birney, lived in the city of Washington after the war, 
where he was honored by the Government in being appointed 
to important official positions, and where he recently died. 

CASUALTIES OF THE REGIMENT IN THE BATTLE OF STRAW- 
BERRY PLAINS. 
August 14th to 18th, 1864. 
Company A . 
Llewellyn Lincoln, (4th Me.), wounded, August 14th. 

Company B. 
Corporal Samuel N. Robertson, wounded, August 14th. 

Company D. 
Jeremiah M. Cromwell, wounded, August 14th. 



230 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Company F. 
Thomas A. Baker, wounded and prisoner, August 14th; Fred- 
erick Culombe, (4th Me.), wounded and prisoner, August 14th. 

Company G. 
Henry C. Davis, (4lh ^Nle.), mortally wounded and died, August 
14th. 

Company K. 
Sergeant Thomas M. Hagan, wounded, August 14th; Richard 
M. Blaisdell, wounded, August 14th. 



REAMS STATION AND tsO'^TOlM ROAD 23 1 



CHAPTER XIV. 



BATTLES OF REAMS' STATION AND BOYDTON ROAD. 

The Regiment did not arrive in the vicinity of Petersburg 
from the north side of the James, until Sunday morning, the 
2 1 St of August. It was a tiresome and exhausting march. 
Mott's Division, at this time, was not with the other two 
Divisions of the Corps, but was holding a portion of the in- 
trenchments around Petersburg, west of the Jerusalem road. 
Scarcely had the jaded men of the Regiment hobbled back to 
Petersburg and thrown themselves upon the ground to rest, 
when the First and Second Divisions, under command of Miles 
and Gibbon, respectively, were ordered to move beyond the left 
of the army to destroy a portion of the Weldon railroad. The 
boys felt that they were entitled to rest long enough 
to get their breath. They were dead tired. The ex- 
pressions used by the men, when ordered to " fall in," 
were not such as one hears in polite society, and 
the writer will not shock the reader by putting them in print. 
At noon the two Divisions filed into the road and marched 
southwest several miles and began throwing up breastworks 
near the Strong house. About three o'clock in the afternoon, 
Hancock conducted the Divisions across the country in a wester- 
ly direction, and massed the troops in the rear of the Fifth Corps, 
south of Dr. Gurley's residence. It had rained all day and all 
night on the 19th of August, and it rained nearly all night on 
the 2 1 St. The country through which the troops marched was" 
very wet. The Regiment passed the night in the mud and 
rain. The men were tired enough to sleep anywhere, pro- 
vided they could keep their heads above water. On Monday, 
the 22nd, the Nineteenth, with the Second Division, was per- 
mitted to rest during the day. 

Since August i8th. General Warren, with two Divisions of 
the Fifth Corps, and later reinforced by two Divisions of the 



2)2 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Ninth, had been manoeuvering and fighting in this locality. 
Warren had done excellent work and had taken possession of 
the Weldon railroad near Globe Tavern and destroyed the road 
for some distance, both north and south. He was directed to 
hold the ground he had gained at all hazards. Many of the 
same Confederate troops that had opposed Warren here, later 
confronted Hancock at Reams' Station. 

The First Division of our Corps, under command of General 
Miles, was ordered, on the afternoon of August 22nd, to move 
south on the Weldon railroad about two miles to the Perkins 
house, destroying the railroad as the Division advanced. The 
next day the Division pushed on and destroyed the railroad to 
within one mile of Reams' Station. General Barlow returned 
from the hospital during the day and resumed command of the 
Division, which, by reason of his illness and his old v/ounds, 
he only retained one day. 

On the afternoon of Tuesday, August 23rd, the Nineteenth 
marched to the left several miles with the Second Division, 
following the general direction of the First Division. The 
Regiment was routed out at three o'clock in the morning of 
August 24th and marched to Reams' Station, reaching that 
place a little after sunrise. The First Division had destroyed 
the railroad from Globe Tavern nearly to Reams'. The two 
Divisions were united at this place. The station house had 
been burned, but there was an old church and a few scattering 
houses not far from the place where the station had stood. The 
country was flat and generally covered with woods. Two 
country roads intersect the railroad at this point, one leading to 
the Jerusalem plank road on the east and the Dinwiddie stage 
road, running from the railroad westerly to the Vaughn road and 
thence to Dinwiddie Court House. Then there was the Halifax 
road, parallel to the railroad and running north to Petersburg. 

A statement of distances may aid the reader in under- 
standing the movements of the troops during the battle. The 
Jerusalem plank road is less than four miles east of Reams' 
Station. The Globe Tavern, where Warren had his headquar- 
ters, was four miles south of Petersburg and between four and 
five miles north of Reams' Station. The Weldon railroad runs 



REAMS STATION AND BOYDTON ROAD 233 

directly south from Petersburg. During the 25th of August, 
General Meade was at Warren's headquarters. 

The two small Divisions of the Second Corps were under 
command of Hancock, and in the battle the First Division was 
commanded by Miles and the Second Division by Gibbon. 
There were three small Brigades in each Division. The First 
Brigade of the First Division was commanded by Colonel 
James C. Lynch. Colonel Crandall commanded the con- 
solidated Brigade, and the Fourth Brigade was commanded by 
Lieutenant-Colonel K. O. Broady. Upon Broady's being 
wounded, Lieutenant-Colonel William Glenny succeeded to 
the command of the Brigade. In the Second Division, the 
First Brigade, to which the Nineteenth belonged, was com- 
manded by Lieutenant-Colonel Rugg, of the Fifty-ninth New 
York. The Second Brigade was commanded by Colonel 
Mathew Murphy, One Hundred and Eighty-second New York, 
and the Third Brigade by Colonel Thomas A. Smyth, of the 
First Delaware Volunteers. 

There were at Reams' Station the remains of some earth- 
works which had been thrown up, either by the cavalry or the 
Sixth Corps, when a raid had been made through this region 
some weeks before. These poorly constructed intrenchments 
were formed something like three sides of a rectangle, with the 
shortest side or end of the rectangle facing west and one of the 
longer sides facing north and the other south. The angle at 
tlie southwest corner was slightly acute and at the northeast 
corner the angle was somewhat obtuse. The intrenchments 
facing west were seven hundred yards long and those facing 
north and south were each from eight hundred to a thousand 
yards in length. The side without intrenchments of any kind 
faced the Jerusalem plank road. An old church stood inside 
these works. The line of works facing west were a few yards 
west of and parallel with the railroad. The railroad, within 
the intrenchments, for a portion of the distance was in a cut 
and for a part of the distance above grade. The Halifax road 
ran parallel with and east of the railroad. Brown's Rhode 
Island Battery and Sleeper's Massachusetts Battery were within 



234 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

the intrenchments, west of the railroad, during the engagement, 
and were both captured by the enemy. 

About nine o'clock on the morning of August 25th, the 
Regiment started south from Reams' Station, moving down 
the railroad with the other Regiments of the Brigade and de- 
stroying the railroad as the men advanced. Smyth's Third 
Brigade had the advance. The Regiment found an opportunity 
during the forenoon, while resting in a cornfield, to feast on 
green corn and sweet potatoes. If the men had known what 
was in store for them before the sun went down, they would 
not have had such good appetites. The Regiment had gone 
hardly two miles south of Reams' Station, when sharp firing 
began in front and to the right of the line, in the direction of 
Rowanty creek. The railroad had been destroyed to the 
Malone's bridge road, a little over two miles south of Reams', 
and it was at this point that Hampton's Confederate Cavalry 
was encountered. 

The Regiments of Smyth's Brigade were at once deployed 
as skirmishers on the right of the railroad, and the Nineteenth 
Maine, with some of the other regiments of the Brigade, formed 
in line of battle on the east side and nearly at right angles with 
the railroad. The Seventh Michigan and Fifty-ninth New 
York were advanced as skirmishers. About noon the troops 
were ordered to fall back to the station. Now let Captain 
Spaulding, who commanded the Regiment, describe the battle. 
The following is his official report : 

"Headquarters Nineteenth Maine Volunteers, 1 

August 30th, 1864. j 

"Sir: I have the honor to report that this Regiment reached 
Reams' Station on the morning of the 24th instant and was engaged 
in the forenoon of this day in destroying the raihoad. 

"On the morning of the 25th instant, the Regiment advanced 
with the Brigade down the railroad about one mile from the station 
and formed on the east side and nearly at right angles with the railroad. 
In the afternoon we marched back and lay in support of the First Divi- 
sion during the first two attacks of the enemy upon that line. The 
Regiment, together with the Nineteenth Massachusetts, was then 
marched to the left and took position, making connection between the 
Second and Third Brigades, the part of the line occupied by those Regi- 
ments running at nearly right angles with the railroad. It was here 
exposed to the most terrific enfilading fire of artillery. It participated 
in the charge led by Colonel Smyth upon the enemy that occupied the 
works taken from the First Division. The charge proving unsuccessful 



REAMS STATION AND BOYDTON ROAD 235 

the Regiment fell back to the works it had left and formed line of 
battle upon the front side of the works, facing the enemy, who were 
now in the rear of this line. While in this positi')! the enemy advanced 
up near our old front and both flanks, when the Regiment again changed 
front and engaged the enemy. It held its position here until the 
troops fell back upon its right and left, when it was obliged to fall back 
to the woods, where it again formed line and remained until about ten 
p. m., when it marched with the Brigade back to the rear. 
"I am, Captain, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 
J. W. Spaulding, 
Captain commanding. 
"Captain J. E. Curtiss, 

"Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, First Brigade." 

The following is a copy of an article in the Portland Evening 
Express of January 8th, 1887, written by Lieutenant-Colonel 
J. W. Spaulding: 

"At the Reunion of the Vermont Officers Association, held at 
Montpelier, November 3rd, 1886, General Francis A. Walker, of Boston, 
whose intimate relations with General Hancock during the war, as his 
Adjutant-General, gives peculiar significance to anything he may say 
relating to the military career of that ereat General, in an eloquent 
address upon the military character and services of Major-General 
Winfield S. Hancock, said: 'Time will not serve to tell the story of the 
blackest of days in the calendar of the gallant leader of the Second 
Corps, when on the 25th of August after his men had lost nearly 20,000 
men in battle since it crossed the Rapidan on the 3rd of May, two of 
his decimated Divisions, scarce 6500 strong, caught in the ill-constructed 
intrenchments at Reams' Station, were driven from a portion of 
their works by repeated assaults from a superior force, with the loss 
of seven standards, nine cannon and 1700 prisoners. The agony of 
that day never passed away from the proud soldier, who, for the first 
time, in spite of superhuman exertions and reckless exposure on his 
part, saw his lines broken and his guns taken.' 

"All who witnessed the daring and valor of General Hancock upon 
the field at Reams' Station, when a part of General Miles' Division was 
broken and routed by the enemy, will attest to the truthfulness of what 
the soldier-orator says of his conduct that day. 

"The published accounts of the engagement at Reams' Station 
have failed to do justice, however, to the men who fought upon the field. 

"General Humphreys states in the 'Virginia Campaigns of '64 
and '65- 'General Hancock said that if his troops had behaved as 
well as they had done before, he would have been able to defeat the 
enemy.' If this remark was intended to apply only to the small por- 
tion who gave way at the third charge of the enemy, it undoubtedly 
states no more than the truth ; but if it was intended to include all the 
troops there engaged, it as much fails to do justice to gallant men, as 
it might reflect upon commanding generals to say, if they had ma- 
noeuvered with their accustomed skill, that small body of Union troops 
would not have been caught in that awkward position by such an over- 
whelming force of the enemy. 

"It will be remembered that the fight at Reams' Station was 
brought about in this way : The First and Second Divisions of the 



236 



THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 



Second Corps and Gregg's Cavalry, all under command of General 
Hancock, were charged with the work of destroying the Weldon and 
Petersburg railroad, down as far as Rowanty creek, about eight miles 
below Reams' Station. 

"By the evening of August 24th the command had completely 
destroyed the road to a point three miles south of Reams' Station. 
During the day the signal officers along the line in front of Petersburg 
had reported large bodies of the enemy's infantry passing south, 
probably directed against Hancock, whose command could easily have 
been withdrawn or reinforced during the night. The morning of the 
25th found the enemy's cavalry supported by infantry across the left 
front. At a little after noon the troops were drawn back to Reams' 
Station, where there were some intrenchments, though badly arranged, 
having been hastily constructed by other troops on a former occasion. 
The First Division was placed on the right, in works running southerly, 
parallel with and just west of the railroad, and facing westerly; two 
Brigades of the Second Division were placed in some slight works 
running northeasterly from the railroad and facing southeasterly; and 
the other Brigade of that Division was formed along the railroad in 
support of the First Division. The line of battle thus formed a V-shape, 
and this enabled the enemy to so place his artillery opposite the apex 
as to completely enfilade the lines of both Divisions. Still the works 
in front of the First Division were such as to enable them to withstand 
any assault of infantry, and they did gallantly repulse two charges by 
a large force of the enemy's infantry, at about five o'clock in the after- 
noon. At this point of time, the Nineteenth Maine and the Nineteenth 
Massachusetts, two of the supporting regiments, were moved to the 
center of the left wing to fill a gap between the two Brigades on that 
part of the line. 

"When the enemy again charged, a portion of the First Division 
gave away, whether from demoralization caused by the artillery fire, 
or from having seen the support drawn from their rear, or from 
some other reason, it would be hard to tell. It was sufficient, however, 
to let the Rebel forces, in largely superior numbers, through, and give 
them the possession of that part of the line which had been occupied 
by the First Division. This gave them a position in the rear of our 
left wing, which was already engaged with a strong line of Rebel skirm- 
ishers in their front. A portion of the line were ordered to turn their 
backs upon the Rebel skirmish line in their front and charge the enemy, 
now in the rear. The troops responded with alacrity and were led in 
person by General Thomas A. Smyth, 1 who was one of the most gallant 
and dashing of the Union Generals. But the task was too great, and 
the small force returned to the line from which it advanced, just in 
time to receive and repel a charge from the enemy, coming up in the old 
front; then quickly facing about it engaged the enemy in the opposite 
quarter. Thus the small line fought, facing first to the front then to 



1 General Smyth was born in Ireland, and entered the service, 
October 17th, 1861, as Major of the First Delaware Infantry. He was 
promoted to be Brigadier-General October 1st, 1864, after having 
been recommended for promotion many times. General Smyth was 
mortally wounded at Farmville, Virginia, April 7th, 1865, and died 
two days later. He had been distinguished for bravery and good 
judgment in nearly every battle in which the Second Corps participated 
in 1864-65, and was the last general officer who was killed in the Union 
armies during the war. 



reams' station and boydtoN road 237 

the rear. I remember the Nineteenth Maine changed from one tit^.e 
of the works to the other four times during the engagement. Men never 
fought with greater coolness, courage or confidence than those along 
that line, and that, too, under the most demoralizing circumstances 
and surroundings. The position was held until a column of the enemy 
was discovered moving around the left, which was met, however, and 
resisted by our cavalry ; but when the movement was discovered orders 
were given to retire from that line. Then occurred an incident which 
often happened at such times. The Nineteenth Maine being detached 
from its Brigade did not receive the orders, and that, with the dusk of 
■ evening and certain natural obstructions which intercepted its view, 
as well as the fact that its attention was concentrated upon the active 
work in hand in both front and rear, the Regiinent did not learn of the 
movement of the balance of the line until all others had completely 
withdrawn, and the Rebel infantry fire came at once upon both flanks. 

"A hurried examination disclosed the position of affairs, when the 
Regiment proceeded to rejoin the troops in the rear. In that move- 
ment the Nineteenth Maine lost, among the wounded, one of the brav- 
est and most intelligent officers of the line in the army. Captain Charles 
E. Nash, of Augusta. To him was really due the preservation of the 
entire Regiment, for he first discovered its isolated position. He was 
dangerously wounded while running the gauntlet, when retiring from 
that position. 

"The Regiment had no sooner gained the shelter of the friendly 
woods, where were assembled the rest of the Division, when General 
Hancock, riding alone, inquired, 'What regiment?' On receiving the 
answer, he exclaimed, with an expletive, 'The Nineteenth Maine will 
go anywhere! Deploy by the fence on the edge of the field in front and 
hold that postion.' The order was no sooner given than it was obeyed 
and the position held until midnight, when all of the forces were with- 
drawn. 

"If any criticism is to be made upon the conduct of the Second 
Division upon that day, it cannot be applied to the men who carried 
muskets. They obeyed every order with the coolness, courage, in- 
telligence and loyalty worthy of the reputation and record made by 
the Corps and its brilliant commander." 

The foregoing is produced here because it gives a truthful 
and unbiased description of the Regiment's experience in this 
battle. Ihe soldiers of the Nineteenth, who were present in 
this action, claim that it is the only just and fair statement 
which they have ever seen. 

Captain Nash, who was severely wounded in this battle, 
was a brave and popular officer. When he entered the service 
he was, by profession, a newspaper editor, and possessed 
marked literary ability. He never returned to the Regiment, 
but was discharged November 28th. After his discharge 
from the army, Captain Nash was several times Mayor of 
Augusta and filled other important official positions. He died 
only a few years ago. Had Captain Nash lived, he would have 



238 THE NINETEENTH MAINL REGIMENT 

been the proper person to have written the history of the 
Nineteenth, in whose brilliant achievements he always took 
so much pride. 

During the severe fighting at Reams' Station, Brigadier- 
General David McM. Gregg, with about 2000 men from his 
Division of Cavalry, was under command of Hancock and did 
excellent work on the skirmish line and flanks of the infantry. 
Charles H. Smith, then Colonel of the First Maine Cavalry, 
commanded a Brigade in this engagement. When Hampton's 
Confederate Cavalry was pushing up from the south and the 
southwest, they bumped up against the First Maine Cavalry, 
dismounted and armed with sixteen shooters and stationed on 
the outskirts of a swamp. The Confederates backed up and 
concluded to try some place where it would be easier to break 
through. 

There has been a good deal of controversy over the battle 
at this place. The writer believes that here, as well as on the 
Jerusalem plank road, June 22nd, the men in the ranks were not 
responsible for the disaster to the Second Corps. Soldiers do 
not like to be shot down in front and on both flanks at the same 
time. The men who carry rifles do not plan battles, and they 
do not have the privilege of investigating to see whether their 
flanks are protected, or v^here the enemy may be found, except 
as they are ordered to do so by their superior officers. General 
Hancock was ordered to take two of his Divisions, Gibbon and 
Barlow, leaving the largest Division behind, immediately after 
returning from an exhausting expedition to Strawberry Plains, 
and hasten beyond the left of our army to destroy the Weldon 
railroad. We had succeeded in destroying a long stretch of the 
railroad and some valuable property. Every indication pointed 
to an attack by the Confederate infantry sent to oppose us. 
General Meade knew this better than Hancock and had advised 
him of the large force moving toward his front. Why these 
two small Divisions of the Second Corps should have been thrust 
out into the enemy's country, without support, and kept there, 
designedly, to be fallen upon by overwhelming numbers of the 
enemy and uselessly sacrificed, is pretty hard to explain. 

General Hancock had at Reams' Station only 6500 infantry 








CXas. s.yyZ-i 



REAAIS' STATION AND BOYDTON ROAD 23Q 

and less than 2000 cavalry. The forces of the enemy were 
under the immediate command of General A. P. Hill He had 
mcluding nearly 4000 cavalry under Hampton, from 14000 to 
16,000 men. 

Now let the reader call to mind the fact that within four 
niiles of Hancock's position, and connected by telegraph and 
the Halifax road running north to Warren's and Meade's 
headquarters, there were more than 20,000 Union soldiers lying 
idle behind their breastworks. These brave men were within 
sound of Hancock's guns and at the word would gladly have 
gone to the relief of Miles and Gibbon. The Divisions of Griffin 
and Crawford of the Fifth Corps, and Willcox and White of the 
Ninth, were South of the Globe Tavern. For all practical pur- 
poses, they might as well have been on another planet. 

A little before three o'clock in the afternoon, Willcox with 
his Division of the Ninth Corps, was ordered to reinforceHan- 
cock. Instead of going directly down the Halifax road, within" 
three and a half miles, and striking the Confederates on their 
left flank, he was ordered by Meade to go around by the way 
of the Jerusalem plank road, a distance of twelve miles The 
mildest term which can appropriately be applied to such 
generalship ,s blundering incapacity. It is now conceded by 
everyone who has knowledge of the facts that General Meade 
could have reinforced Hancock at Reams' Station by a force of 
10,000 men, and that they could have gone down the Halifax 
road and reached Hancock in one hour's time. Our men had 
been grumbling because they had been obliged to continuously 
tight the Confederates in their intrenchments. The opportunity 
was now presented when they would fight us in the open or in 
whatever earthworks we had constructed. 

Here is the testimony of General Willcox, who with his 
Division, was sent to the relief of Hancock: 

. • 'II 5""°^°^^^ *° ^^^ offif^er who brought me mv orders to^maroh 

at'once In^ '^ T^'^^^'- ^^^'^ °^ ^^^ ^^'' ^' most^and jo n Hancock 
j\? .' l^^lu""^ °^ marching around twelve miles by the pla?k road 
rn Ih u"^ ^^f. ^}T ^^' «°"^^ apprehension of the^ enemy?get?ine 
W^pas^e^X GurleVh^ rear and that I must look out f^r^hft sS 
vve passea tile Lrurley house at 3:S5,marched across lots to the nl^nV 
road and down to the crossroads at Shay's Tavern where we arrived 
before six, and received a message from rfancock calling me ^p rap'dly 



240 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

My troops were in good spirits. They heard the cannon firing and felt 
that, having assisted Warren of late materially and in the nick of an 
extremity, they were rather honored by this call from the grand old 
Second Corps, and we pushed ahead at a swinging gait. * * * 

I pushed on, without halting, until seven o'clock, when I received word 
that if one or two Brigades could be got up in time the day might yet 
be saved. This was communicated to the troops, who threw off their 
blanket rolls and started at a double quick, which they kept up, with 
few breathing intervals, the rest of the way until I reported to Han- 
cock."! 

Willcox was too late to be of any assistance. His Division 
did not come within a mile of the battlefield, although eager 
to render service. Before Willcox reported to Hancock, many 
of Miles' and Gibbon's soldiers were marching to the rear of the 
Confederate lines, prisoners of war. Scores of mangled and 
bleeding forms were lying across the railroad, and in front and 
in the rear of these worthless intrenchments — a barren sacrifice. 

General Francis A. Walker, serving on Hancock's staflF, was 
taken prisoner. He states that when conducted to the head- 
quarters of the Confederate General Wilcox, he was asked who 
the brave officer was on the right of our line, who did such 
splendid work, rallying the troops. When informed that it was 
General Nelson A. Miles, General Wilcox paid a fine compli- 
ment to his daring. 

The gallant record of General Miles recalls the fact that 
when he enlisted in 1861 in the Twenty-second Massachusetts 
Infantry, the Governor of that State refused to give Miles a 
Captain's commission, because he was too young for so im- 
portant a place! So he was made First Lieutenant, and a few 
months later he was invited by those who saw the young officer's 
promise, to become the Lieutenant-Colonel of the Sixty-first 
New York Volunteers. This fine Regiment gave to the Union 
cause two Major-Generals — Barlow and Miles. 

Three of the regiments which had come to the army since 
the beginning of the Wilderness campaign lost their colors at 
Reams' Station. On the 30th of August, Gibbon, as command- 
er of our Division, issued an order depriving these regiments of 
their right to carry colors until, by their conduct in battle, 
they should show themselves competent to protect them. This 
order was approved by Meade. Sometime afterward, General 

1 Battles and Leaders, Vol. 4, p. 572. 



REAMS STATION AND BOYDTON ROAD 24 1 

Hancock raised an objection to singling out these three com- 
paratively new regiments, whose commanders had been killed 
in battle, and not have the order apply to all regiments whose 
flags had been captured in battle by the enemy. His reference 
was particularly to the Fifteenth and Nineteenth Massachusetts 
Regiments, whose flags had been captured on the Jerusalem 
plank road, and the Twentieth Massachusetts, whose flag and 
many of whose soldiers were captured at Reams' Station. The 
Nineteenth Maine never suffered the humiliation of having its 
flag captured by the enemy. It had several times been forced 
back by the Confederates, and three successive color-bearers 
were killed in one battle, but no Confederate ever laid his 
hands upon the colors of the Nineteenth Maine. 

As nearly as can be ascertained, the Union losses at Reams' 
Station in the Second Corps and in the batteries were 85 killed, 
380 wounded, and 1733 missing. Of the killed, nearly one- 
fourth were commissioned officers — an unusually large percent- 
age. Practically all of the missing were taken prisoners. 
During the three days at Reams', the cavalry lost about 150. 

General Hill, the Confederate commander, reported his 
loss at 720. This was certainly a reasonable price to pay for 
five twelve-pound Napoleon guns, four three-inch rifle guns, ten 
caissons, 3000 rifles, thirty horses, eight or ten battle flags and 
over 1700 prisoners, all of which the Confederates captured in 
this engagement, and the killing or wounding of over 500 Union 
men. Hill claimed they took 2150 prisoners, but they didn't. 
He doubtless understated their loss, too. There was no attempt 
on the part of the Confederates to follow up the Union troops 
when they fell back. 

LOSSES OF THE NINETEENTH MAINE AT THE BATTLE 

OF REAMS' STATION. 

August 25th, 1864. 

Captain Charles E. Nash, Company C, wounded. 

Company A. 
Tilly Huff, prisoner. 

Company B. 
Abijah N. Clay (4th Me.), killed; First Sergeant Darius S. Richards 
wounded; Alonzo V. Gregory, prisoner; Navard Grover (4th Me.), 
prisoner; Adoniram D. Hall, prisoner. 



242 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Company C. 
John W. Barnes, prisoner; James H. Flanders, prisoner, died 
Nov. 27th. 

Company D. 
James Pierce (4th Me.), wounded; Christian Anderson, prisoner; 
James O. Bean, prisoner while detached in Artillery Brigade; died 
January 15th, 1865, Salisbury Prison; Enoch Holhs, Jr., prisoner; 
William R. Sawyer, prisoner; John W. Young, prisoner. 

Company E. 
Benjamin Knowles (4th Me.), wounded; Joseph E. Farnham (4th 
Me.), wounded; Charles D. Poor, (4th Me.), wounded; Elisha P. Rich- 
ards (4th Me.), prisoner; Benjamin Roberts (4th Me.), prisoner; died 
in Rebel prison, Nov. 23rd; Marcellus Freeman, prisoner. 

Com.pany F. 
Leonard B. Ricker, prisoner; died a prisoner Nov. 5th. 

Company G. 
George F. Doe, killed; William Murphy, prisoner; Zelia W. 
Young, prisoner; Albert Quimby, prisoner, died a prisoner of war (date 
of capture also given Aug. .30, '64). 

Com.pany H. 

George Fuller, wounded; Andrew J. Bashford, prisoner; Frank 

Fields, prisoner; Cyrus L. Ring (4th Me.), prisoner; died in Salisbuiy 

prison December 1st, 1864; Charles H. Stewart, prisoner; George L 

-Smith, prisoner; died October 28th, paroled prisoner at Anapolis, Md^ 

Com-pany I. 
Leverett S. Boynton (4th Me.), prisoner, died in prison Nov. 27th; 
Peter Larkin, prisoner, died Andersonville prison Oct. 20th; Charles 
Miles (4th Me.), prisoner; Charles H. Powell, prisoner; Freeman 
York, prisoner. 

Company K. 
George H. Brown, prisoner; Edward B. Curtis, prisoner; William 
Greenwood, prisoner; Maurice Murray, prisoner. 

RECAPITULATION. 

Killed and mortally wounded __..-. 2 

Wounded, not fatally --__._. .7 

Prisoners, nine of whom died in prison - _ . . 33 

Total - - - 42 

Let us close the history of Reams' Station and forget the 
gross injustice which has been done the men who carried rifles 
in this battle, by the writers of history. 

On Friday, the 26th of August, the Regiment went back to 
the Petersburg intrenchments and took position in the old works 
vacated by us on the 12th of July, On September i ith, the 
army began the use of "Grant's Railroad," as it was then called 
by the men. This road ran from City Point to places along the 
rear of our lines, with the western terminal on the Weldon rail- 
road. It was a great convenience to the army. 



REAMS STATION AND BOYDTON ROAD 24J 

In the early days of September, Generals Grant and 
Meade, somewhat mystified by the movements of the Confeder- 
ates, and by the persistent rumor that Early was on his way 
from the Valley to join Lee, began to fortify, in anticipation ol 
any attack that might be made upon our left flank and rear by 
the enemy coming up from the Halifax and Jerusalem roads. 
Works were constructed, heavy guns planted and streets were 
cut from the forts on the main line to the rear, so every organi- 
zation would have a road to facilitate rapid movements. In 
case an attack should be made by a heavy force of the enemy 
passing around our left flank, it was thought that the main line 
of works facing Petersburg might be held by 2000 men for each 
mile of intrenchments, while the remainder of the troops might 
be spared to oppose any attack of the enemy from the left or 
rear. But the fear was groundless. In fact, Sheridan was pre- 
paring a series of entertainments for Early that kept him busy 
in the Valley for the balance of the season. 

On the night of September 9th, General De Trobriand, with 
a portion of his Brigade from Mott's Division, made a night 
attack upon a portion of the Confederate picket line near the 
Jerusalem plank road. In a hand-to-hand fight he captured 
the pickets, turned their works, and during the hours of darkness 
strengthened them, so that they were thereafter retained. 

General Gibbon was assigned temporarily to the command 
of the Eighteenth Corps on September 4th, and remained away 
until September 25th. During his absence, Colonel Smyth 
commanded the Division. 

Beef was a scarce article in the Confederate camps, while 
we had an abundance. General Meade kept his herd of cattle 
for our supply some miles down the James from City Point, and 
south of the river, near Sycamore church. Good grazing ground 
was found there. It was placing a great temptation before the 
eyes of the hungry Confederates. General Hampton, with a 
force of cavalry, left the right of the Confederate lines and 
marched down on the west side of Rowanty creek, stole along 
the rear of our army from left to right, and went after our fresh 
meat. He made a night attack September i6th, and captured 
the cattle guards and 2400 beef cattle. You cannot make a 



244 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

very rapid march with a large herd of cattle, yet strange to 
say, the "Johnnies" got away with the whole herd. They had 
to drive them from fifty to a hundred miles, and yet the Un- 
ion forces gave them practically no annoyance during their 
return march. The result of losing our beef supply was the 
substitution of salt codfish for our meat diet, for awhile. After 
being carried in a dirty haversack and wet a few times, codfish 
is not a specially inviting diet. A comrade from Company A 
writes, with relation to his experiences at this time: "When- 
ever I become sick or dissatisfied with food furnished me at 
home, I think of that stinking salt codfish we had to eat in 
the early fall of 1864, and a spirit of sweet contentment 
sweeps over my soul." 

The late Colonel Starbird, in his lifetime, furnished the 
following information: 

"Of the thirty independent companies organized in Maine in 1864 
and 1865, the fifth was assigned to the Nineteenth Regiment, then 
stationed in the works in front of Petersburg. This Company was 
organized October 4th, 1864, and reported to the Regiment October 
22nd, with three officers and sixty-four men. Addison W. Lewis was 
Captain, Edward B. Sargent, First Lieutenant, and Charles Bennett, 
Second Lieutenant. This Company, as an eleventh company, partic- 
ipated with the Regiment in the engagement on the Boydton plank 
road, October 27th, and received its first baptism of fire, where they 
bore themselves with the coolness and steadiness of veterans. As 
might be supposed, an odd number of companies, with the eleventh 
company very much larger than any of the others, and deficient in 
the knowledge which actual service gives, made the Regiment un- 
wieldy and impaired its efficiency. For the good of the service, the 
War Department directed that both officers and men of the new com- 
pany be distributed among the companies of the Regiment. This was 
done in November, 1864. Each officer and non-commissioned officer 
was given the same rank and position held by him in the unassigned 
company. Naturally, they disliked to lose their identity as a company. 
It was surprising how quickly they became assimilated with the men 
who had seen more than two years of field service. In a very short 
time one could not tell a new from an old soldier. So it proved to the 
end. These new troops served with the Regiment until the close of 
the war. 

"Major J. W. Welch had been commissioned Colonel, vice Colonel 
Selden Connor, promoted to Brigadier-General. Captain W. H. Fogler 
was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel, vice Cunningham, resigned, and 
Captain L W. Starbird to Major, in place of Major Welch, promoted, 
all under date of August 16th, 1864. 

"Colonel J. W. Welch was discharged for disability, October 21, 
1864, on his resignation. Major Starbird, who had been in temporary 
command of the One Hundred and Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania Regi- 
ment, on being returned, assumed command of the Nineteenth on the 
24th, being the only field officer present in the field." 



REAMS STATION AND BOYDTON KOAD 245 

The Expedition to the Boydton plank road, near the last 
of October, 1864, was the last effort made by Grant and Meade 
to reach the South Side railroad during the year, it had been 
the hope of those in command to compel the evacuation of 
Petersburg before winter, by getting and holding a position on 
this railroad which was the last of the great avenues connecting 
Petersburg, from the south and west, with the outside Con- 
federacy. The plan was to have Hancock take two Divisions 
of the Second Corps, the Second and Third, under the command 
of Egan and Mott, respectively, pass over the Weldon railroad 
south of the Union fortifications, cross Hatcher's run below 
Armstrong's mill, and then push forward and get possession of 
the Boydton plank road. Then Hancock was to follow the 
Boydton road north, recrossing Hatcher's run at Burgess' 
mill, and from that point push for the South Side railroad. 
Hatcher's run flows east as far as the Boydton road, but shortly 
afterward makes a turn and then runs almost due south for 
several miles. It flows through a region covered with woods 
and an undergrowth which was almost as impenetrable as in the 
Wilderness. 

The space between the left of our fortifications and the 
region through which Hancock was to move was to be occupied, 
simultaneously with Hancock's advance, by portions of the 
Fifth and Ninth Corps. General Grant did not believe that the 
enemy would be found in force as far west as the Boydton road 
at Burgess' mill. We shall see that in this he was in error. 

Our Division drew out of the front line of works at half- 
past two in the morning of October 26th and took position in the 
rear of Fort Bross, not far from the Weldon railroad. At two 
o'clock in the afternoon of the 26th, the two Divisions of the 
Second Corps, having six days' rations issued to them, marched 
to the vicinity of the Robertson house, on the Halifax road, and 
rested for the night. The 27th of October was an eventful day 
for the Regiment. The troops were off, marching in a westerly 
direction, starting a little after three o'clock in the morning. 
The three Brigades of our Division, commanded by Lieutenant- 
Colonel Rugg, Colonel Willett and General Smyth, respectively, 
took the Church road and came into the Vaue:hn r6ad a little 



246 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

o/er two miles from the Halifax road. Then our Division, under 
General Egan, advanced toward Hatcher's run. Lieutenant- 
Colonel Spalter,of the Fourth Ohio Battallion.was in command 
of the skirmish line this day. The skirmishers pushed the Con- 
federates across Hatcher's run, south of Armstrong's mill, and 
if was here that Colonel Spalter was killed. The Division 
crossed the run and took the works of the enemy without much 
loss. When on the west side of the creek, our Brigade was put 
in advance and followed up the enemy and reached Dabney's 
ivaW at quarter past nine in the morning. Here our Brigade 
skirmishers captured Major Venable, an officer serving on 
Hampton's staff. Mott's Division took position on our left, and 
we reached the Boydton road between ten and eleven o'clock. 
After throwing out flankers on both sides of the road and skir- 
mishers in front, the Division turned north on the Boydton 
road and toward Hatcher's run. When near Burgess' Tavern, 
v/hich is less than half a mile south of Hatcher's run, the 
enemy opened fire on us from a slight elevation south of the run, 
to our left. Here a portion of the Regiment was placed on the 
skirmish line. The right of our Brigade rested on the Boydton 
road and the Second Brigade of our Division was on the right 
of the road. The enemy was posted on a ridge running parallel 
with, and some five or six hundred yards south of. Hatcher's 
run. Batteries I and C, Fifth United States Artillery, silenced 
the Confederate guns, and Smyth's Brigade drove the enemy 
across Hatcher's run and secured the bridge in the early after- 
noon. We were about crossing Hatcher's run at four o'clock in 
the afternoon, when the Confederates attacked our right flank 
and rear, coming in between the Second Corps and Crawford's 
Division of the Ninth. 

General Warren had been ordered to send one of his Divis- 
ions across Hatcher's run and move northwesterly, keeping his 
right flank all the time on the creek. The Division assigned by 
Warren to perform this duty was that of Crawford. It was in- 
tended that this movement should serve the purpose of sup- 
porting Hancock after that officer had reached the Vaughn 
road and had begun the march toward Burgess' Tavern. 
Crawford crossed Hatcher's run at Armstrong's mill, a short 



REAMS STATION AND BOYDTON ROAD 247 

distance north of the point where Hancock crossed the same 
stream, and a Httle later in the day Crawford marched up the 
west bank of Hatcher's run, with his Division deployed. His 
progress was very slow and difficult by reason of the dense 
woods and thickets. No orderly formation could be maintained. 
After some hours, Crawford had advanced as far up the run 
as to be directly opposite some Confederate breastworks. From 
where Crawford then was to the position occupied by Hancock 
on the Vaughn road was less than a mile, but neither officer knew 
of the location of the other. 

While these movements were going on, General Lee had 
resolved to put the larger part of Hill's Corps across Hatcher's 
run and attack Hancock's left flank. A reconnoissance showed 
the Confederates that our Division had secured and was holding 
the bridge at Burgess' mill, so they were compelled to cross 
further down stream. It so happened that the point of crossing 
Hatcher's run by Hill's force was about midway between 
Crawford and Hancock. The sound of the guns did not reach 
Crawford, owing to the density of the woods and the condition 
of the atmosphere. But the Confederates were in a more dan- 
gerous position than they realized. 

McAllister's Third Brigade of Mott's Division and the 
Brigades of Smyth and Willett of his own Division, under 
General Egan, faced about and charged the enemy's right flank, 
capturing hundreds of prisoners and two colors. Major Mitchell, 
of Hancock's staff, placed himself at the head of the Thirty- 
sixth Wisconsin, charged down the Boydton road, which was in 
the possession of the Confederates, and captured two hundred 
prisoners and one battle-flag, and put to rout the enemy's line 
of battle. The victory was complete, and the Confederates 
were glad to draw off and await reinforcements. Our own 
Brigade then took position on the right of the Boydton road, 
connecting with McAllister's. There were three separate 
attacks of the enemy, all of which were repulsed. General 
Egan took pains in his report to single out and compliment 
the Thirty-sixth Wisconsin and the Eighth New York Heavy 
Artillery for their gallantry in this battle. These were two of 
the regiments who were deprived of the right to carry colors 



248 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

because their flags had been captured by the enemy at Reams' 
Station. He said "no troops could have done better" than 
these two regiments. 

At eleven o'clock at night we marched back to Dabney's 
mill. Early the next morning the Division recrossed Hatcher's 
run south of Armstrong's mill, and reached Fort Bross, October 
28th, at five o'clock in the afternoon. 

General Hancock's advance on the Boydton road was with- 
in three and one-half miles of the bridge of the South Side rail- 
road across Hatcher's run. The result might have been very 
different had the troops designed for that purpose been able 
to keep the Confederates away from Hancock's right flank and 
rear. 

The losses of the Second and Third Divisions of the Second 
Corps at Boydton Plank Road on October 27th, in killed, 
wounded and missing, were 1 138. Gregg's Cavalry on our left 
flank, and in the attack on our rear, performed distinguished 
services. The First Maine Cavalry was under orders to pro- 
ceed home to be mustered out, but remained and went into 
the battle voluntarily and did valuable work. 

The Confederates remained in the vicinity of their last 
attack during the night and called to their assistance all the 
troops that could be gathered. The morning of October 28th, 
they began to advance cautiously, intending to annihilate 
Hancock, with 18,000 men concentrated during the night, but 
Hancock was not there. In the narrative and description given 
by Confederate officers of this and other engagements, one finds 
much romance and invention. 

Silas Adams, of Company F, states that while the Nine- 
teenth was nearly surrounded by the enemy on the Boydton 
road, and the enemy was sending in its compliments from every 
direction, the men were somewhat excited and could hardly be 
restrained from running to cover. Major Starbird, seeing the 
condition of things, and thinking it necessary to relieve the 
tension of the men, coolly mounted a rock, took his pipe from his 
pocket and proceeded deliberately to fill it. He then lighted it 
and began to smoke as calmly as though nothing unusual was 
occurring. He was a conspicuous mark for the enemy, but his 



reams' station and boydton road 249 

example had the desired effect upon the men of the Regiment. 
The following is Major Starbird's official report of the battle 
on the Boydton Road: 

"Headquarters Nineteenth Maine Volunteers, 
October 29th, 1864. 

"Sir: I have the honor to present the following report of the 
movements of the Nineteenth Maine Regiment during the late en- 
gagement: October 26th, left bivouac near Fort Bross at 2:30 p. m., 
inarched to and across the Weldon railroad and bivouacked for the 
night at 9 p. m. On the morning of the 27th, left bivouac near Weldon 
railroad and marclied in a westerly direction; found the enemy in a 
slightly fortified position on the west side of Hatcher's creek. The 
Regiment was placed in position in the second line of battle, which, 
advancing, carried the works, capturing a few prisoners. We after- 
ward marched by the fiank to Burgess' mill, where a portion cjf the Regi- 
ment was sent on picket, capturing a wagon belonging to the Confeder- 
ate army. On leaving this place, two companies were thrown out 
as flankers, and the march continued to and across the Boydton plank 
road, where we formed line of battle on the extreme left of the line, 
and exposed to artillery in front and rear. The line then advanced 
in good order, and occupied a new position on the left of the plank 
road in an open field, and was at one time almost surrounded by in- 
fantry. Under these trying circumstances the Regiment held the 
position with creditable coolness and courage. About 5 p. m. the Regi- 
ment moved to the right, supporting a portion of the Third Brigade. 
Soon after, an attack was made on our right, when four companies 
of the Regiment were sent to that point, — seven companies remained. 
Thus the Regiment remained until after dark, when the entire Regi- 
ment joined the Brigade on the i)lank road. We then formed a line on 
the plank road, throwing out pickets in front and rear. About twelve 
o'clock at night left the plank road and marched back to near Hatcher's 
creek, where we remained until 10 : 00 a. m., October 28th, at which time 
the Regiment was ordered to occupy the works on the creek captured 
the previous day, holding the road until the Division filed past, when 
it joined the column and continued the march to near Fort Bross, at 
which it arrived at 5 p. m., October 28, 1864. During the engagement, 
the Regiment lost one man killed, four men wounded and one supposed 
taken prisoner. 

"Respectfully submitted, 

"I. W. STARBIRD, 
Major commanding Regiment. 
"Captain Ryerson, 

"Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, First Brigade, 
"Second Division, Second Army Corps," 

This fight was called, by the men engaged, the" Bull Ring," 
from the fact that the line of battle was an irregular circle, with 
the Union forces on the inside. The Regiment was without 
protection, in an open field, and exposed to a destructive fire 
from nearly every direction. A battery on our left enfiladed 
our line, and was the cause of much injury to the men, including 
the death of First Sergeant Heald, of Company A. 



250 TNE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

While we were thus exposed to the enemy's fire, an incident 
occurred which is deemed worthy of record. Assistant Surgeon 
W. H. Randall, the only medical officer on duty with the Regi- 
ment, came up from the rear and reported. "What in the world 
are you doing up here, doctor? You will be killed," said Major 
Starbird. In the coolest manner possible, the doctor replied: 
' 1 thought I would come up and see how you are getting along." 
'Get into that hollow and lie down," was the order. He did so. 
Not long after, the enemy charged and took possession of a 
corduroy bridge across the creek, in our rear. Matters looked 
badly for us. The doctor, seeing the action of the enemy, 
jumped up and going to the commander, said, in a determined 
voice: "Major, if those fellows come up here, by G — d, 1 want 
a gun." He was directed to take that of Sergeant Heald, who 
had just been killed. It is not necessary to state that the 
doctor was promoted. Major Starbird stated that he recalled 
no situation during the war more trying or demanding more 
coolness or intelligent courage. The Regiment conducted itself 
only as intelligent, patriotic men can do under a galling fire. 
It received the commendation of the Division commander. 

The loss of the Regiment is understated in the official 
report, as the following list will show: 

CASUALTIES OF THE NINETEENTH MAINE IN BATTLE OF 
BOYDTON ROAD (ALSO CALLED HATCHER'S RUN). 

October 27th, 1864. 

Company A. 
First Sergeant Thomas M. Heald, mortally wounded, died same 
day; Charles H. Bigelow, wounded, Charles E. Day, prisoner, died in 
Libby Prison, December 19th. 

Company B. 
Alvin L. Chapman, wounded. 

Company E. 
Peleg S. Staples, wounded. 

Company G. 
Lewis A. Moulton, wounded. 

Company H . 
Jonathan Groves, prisoner. 



REAMS STATION AND BOYDTON ROAD 25I 

Company I. 
Corporal George S. Cobb, i killed; Edward Boyne, wounded. 

Company K. 
James H. Knights, wounded. 

Generals Grant and Meade were in the line of the Second 
Corps during the battle of Boydton road. After we had got 
possession of the bridge over Hatcher's run at Burgess' mill, 
the enemy was using his artillery from the north side of the 
Run, much to our discomfiture. General Grant rode out into 
an open field, to get a better view of the position of the enemy. 
His own staff-officers, together with those of Meade, followed', 
and they made a good mark for the Confederate batteries. 
The group was shelled and one of the orderlies was killed. 
General Grant took one of his staflf-officers with him and 
galloped up the road to within a few yards of the bridge, where 
he could see the Confederate line, the lay of the land and the 
nature of the banks of the Run. He then coolly rode back to the 
Union lines. 

While the object of the expedition was not entirely accom- 
plished, valuable information of the force and position of the 
enemy was obtained. So the expedition was not entirely 
fruitless in its results. It was not abandoned because the 
enemy had been successful in any of its assaults, but for the 
reason that General Grant, after personally inspecting the 
position and intrenchments of the enemy, did not deem it wise, 
under all the conditions, to force the crossing of Hatcher's 
run and assault the intrenched position of the Confederate 
force. 

The Regiment remained in position near Fort Bross until 
the last day of the month. The muster rolls were made out 
at this place. 

In October the Regiment lost a number of men in killed and 
wounded, while in the fortifications around Petersburg. Charles 
H. Groves, Company A., was wounded October iith; Albert 
Thomas, of Company B, was wounded October 8th; Lieutenant 
John A. Lord, of Company D, was wounded October 15th, and 
was sent to the hospital at City Point; Albert E. Hutchins, 

1 Reported on Company Rolls as killed Oct. 17th. 



252 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

(4th Me.), Company E, was killed Oct. 7th, while on picket 
and was buried east of Fort Hell. George E. Chase, of Com- 
pany F, was killed October 22nd, while walking from the rear 
to the works in front; Benson Potter, of Company G, was killed 
while on picket October 5th; Joseph Nelson, (4th Me.), of the 
same Company, was killed October i6th; Albert S. Rowe, (from 
Fifth Company unassigned Infantry), also of Company G, was 
mortally wounded Oct. 22nd, and died Nov. 25th. Frank 
Brown and Byron G. Waters, of Company H, were wounded 
October 13th, and the latter died from the effects of his 
wound, April 28th, 1865. Jam.es M. Tyler, of Company H, was 
killed by the enemy October 24th. John Simpson, (4th Me.), 
Company K, was wounded October 23rd. 



LAST WINTER IN CAMP 253 



CHAPTER XV. 



LAST WINTER IN CAMP AND BATTLE OF 
HATCHER'S RUN. 

Immediately after returning from the Battle of Boydton 
Road, the Regiment was assigned to Fort Haskell, where it 
remained until the 29th day of November. This fort was 
named for Frank A. Haskell, the gallant colonel of the Thirty- 
sixth Wisconsin, who was killed while leading our Brigade at 
the battle of Cold Harbor. Fort Haskell was between Forts 
Stedman and Morton, and was near the extreme right of the 
Petersburg intrenchments. It was only a mile, on an air line, 
from the Appomattox river. During the occupation of this 
fort, the Regiment was constantly exposed to the shot and 
shell of the enemy's artillery and the bullets of their sharp- 
shooters. 

Soon after our return from the Boydton Road expedition, 
Sergeant Silas Adams, of Company F, was promoted Captain 
of Company B, Forty-first United States Colored Troops. 
From that time until the close of the war. Captain Adams 
served on staff duty, with the commanding officer of the Second 
Brigade, First Division, Twenty-fifth Corps. 

Early in November, 1864, some of our men were doing 
picket duty in front of Fort Haskell. There was a pond in 
front of the fort and our picket line was between this pond and 
the Confederate pickets. On the night of November 5th, the 
enemy dammed up the outlet of this small pond, in order to 
raise the water over which our pickets had to pass and repass 
in going to and coming from their stations. They were always 
posted and relieved at night. There was a foot-bridge across 
the pond, utilized by our pickets in crossing the water. Just 
before midnight, three companies of the Forty-first Alabama, 
under command of General Gracie, who was killed the next 
month by a shot from Fort Morton, captured thirty-two men 



254 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

on this advanced picket line, twelve of whom were from the 
Nineteenth. This feat was accomplished by the Aiabamians 
without firing a gun. The next morning the water in the pond 
was found to be considerably above the footbridge. This 
affair would seem to indicate that the Confederates were fast 
learning "Yankee tricks." General Hancock stated on the 
8th of November that the insecure picket line was due to 
"inattention on the part of the officers." The men of the Nine- 
teenth who were caught in this trap and taken prisoners were 
John Cochran (4th Me.), Company A; Emery A. McAllister 
(4th Me.), Jonathan S. Nickerson and Edward Randall (4th 
Me.), Company D; William H. Shales (4th Me.), Company E; 
Corporal William C. Rowe (4th Me.), George A. Arris and 
Philip R. Armstrong (4th Me.), Company F; Charles H. Jackson, 
Company G; and Sumner Merrill, John H. Jewell (4th Me.) and 
William I. Heal (4th Me.), Company H. 
Colonel Starbird wrote as follows: 

"On the resignation of Colonel J. W. Welch, Captain Fogler, who 
already held the commission of Lieutenant-Colonel, but not mustered, 
was commissioned Colonel; Major Starbird, Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
Captain J. W. Spaulding, Major. Captain Fogler returned to the 
Regiment, but, as he was still suffering from his wound, he deemed it 
best to leave the service and, without being mustered under the com- 
mission of Lieutenant-Colonel or Colonel, was discharged from the 
service for disability, on his resignation, November 2nd, 1864, much 
to the regret of all. The resignation of Captain Fogler left vacant 
the position of Colonel, which was filled by the promotion of Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel Starbird. Major Spaulding was commissioned Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel and Captain David E. Parsons, Company A, Major. 
Surgeon J. Q. A. Hawes, having resigned his com:nission, was dis- 
charged November 2nd, 1864. Assistant Sui'geon W. H. Randall 
was promoted to Surgeon, to rank from November 11th. Benjamin 
Bussey Jr., M. D., reported to the Regiment from Maine, with a com- 
mission of Assistant- Surgeon, and was mustered into that rank, No- 
vember 20th. 

"Lieutenant E. H. Rich, who had been on detached service in the 
Provost-Marshal's Department in Maine, reported to the Regiment 
November 19th, 1864, and on December 3rd was detailed to command 
the provost-guard at headquarters. Second Army Corps. First Lieu- 
tenant and Quartermaster Albert Hunter was detailed for service in 
the Quartermaster's department, at Second Corps headquarters. 
Captain Oliver R. Small was detailed as acting Assistant Adjutant- 
General, and Lieutenant William H. Tripp as Aide-de-camp at head- 
quarters. First Brigade, Second Division, Second Corps. Captain 
Ansel L. White was detailed as Ordnance Officer at headquarters of 
our Division. These officers remained on detached service until the 
close of the war." 



LAST WINTER IN CAMP 



^55 



While occupying Fort Haskell, some of the boys of Com- 
pany K, conceived the idea of making some ginger snaps. 
They had contrived, by stealing or otherwise, to procure some 
flour. A bottle of Jamaica ginger, somewhat diluted, was 
used to impart the necessary flavor. A can of condensed milk 
was added and the mixture was rolled on the clean side of a 
board, employing an empty bottle for a rolling pin. The 
dough was cut into cakes of proper shape, with the cover of 
a blacking box, and baked in an improvised oven, dug in the 
ground. When they had taken on a good dark color, they 
were removed from the oven and served hot. The boys looked 
rather silly while eating and it was noticed that no one asked 
for a second helping. One fellow, who seemed to have more 
trouble than the others in separating the portion, in his mouth, 
which he proposed to swallow, from the part he intended to 
spit out, remarked that "The cook must have stepped in the 
dough while it was rising." 

The presidential election in 1864 occurred on the 8th of 
November. Maine soldiers, absent from the state, were per- 
mitted to vote and have their votes counted as though they 
had voted at home. The voting of the Nineteenth Maine took 
place at Fort Haskell, in the presence of S. S. Marble, the 
Commissioner from Maine. The vote in the Regiment stood 
129 for Lincoln and 31 for McClellan. The combined vote of 
the Maine soldiers was Lincoln 4174 and McClellan 741. it is 
curious to note the result of votes for president in some of the 
organizations. The Fourth Maryland Regiment cast 272 votes 
for Lincoln, but not a vote for McClellan! The fighting and 
voting of those Marylanders were serious matters with them. 

While the Regiment was occupying Fort Haskell in Nov- 
ember, 1864, Austin Cunningham (4th Me.), of Company C, 
was wounded November 26th, three days before leaving the 
fort. Thomas Barwise (4th Me.), of the same Company, was 
wounded November 14th. William J. Brown, of Company D, 
was wounded November 2nd and H. D. Morse, (4th Me.), of 
Company F, is reported as having been taken prisoner Nov- 
ember 30th. John M. Currier, (Fifth Company^ unassigned In- 
fantry), Company G, was wounded Nov. i8th. Albert Long- 



256 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

ly, (Company unassigned infantry), of Company G, was 
wounded November 6th. Peter Kendrick, of Company G, was 
killed while on picket in the month of November. In Com- 
pany H, Louis E. Hopkins was wounded November 27th 
and John S. Wilson died of wounds received at Petersburg 
November 13th. Wesley Rich (4th Me.), of Company I, was 
taken prisoner at Gettysburg and died in prison at Belle Isle, 
November i8th, 1864, without ever having seen the company to 
which he had been assigned. The same may be said of Samuel 
D. Small of the same company, a prisoner, who died at the 
same place three days before his comrade. 

The Battle of Boydton Road was the last engagement in 
which General Hancock led the Second Corps against the 
Confederates. Indeed, it was the last engagement in the War 
of the Rebellion in which he participated. About the middle 
of November, General Hancock's wounds were still giving him 
trouble and he asked for a leave of absence from the army, 
to enable him to visit his home and obtain medical care and 
rest for a short time. At General Grant's suggestion, General 
Hancock undertook to raise a new Army Corps, to be composed 
exclusively of veterans. Grant thought that Hancock's 
popularity would enable him to do this without much difficulty. 
Hancock was to relieve Sheridan in the Valley, which, in the 
early spring of 1865 he did, and to assume command of the 
troops already in the Valley District, adding to the command 
his own veteran Corps which he might organize. On November 
26, 1864, General Hancock relinquished the command of the 
Second Corps and Major-General A. A. Humphreys was assigned 
to the Corps as his successor and commanded the Corps until the 
close of the War. In taking leave of the Corps, General Han- 
cock, in General Orders No. 44, dated November 26, 1864, 
paid the following tribute to the old Corps: 

"I desire at parting with you to express the regret I feel at the 
necessity which calls for our separation. Intimately associated with 
you in the dangers, privations and glory which have fallen to your lot 
during the memorable campaigns of the past two years, I now leave 
you with the warmest feelings of affection and esteem. Since I have 
had the honor to serve with you, you have won the right to place upon 
your banners the historic names of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, 
Gettysburg, Wilderness, Po, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Cold Harbor, 



LAST WINTER IN CAMP 257 

Petersburg, Reams' Station, Boydton Road and many other contests. 
The gallant bearing of the intrepid officers and men of the Second 
Corps in the bloodiest fields of the war, the dauntless valor displayed 
by them in many brilliant assaults on the enemy's strongest positions, 
the great number of guns, colors and prisoners and other trophies of 
war captured by them in many desperate combats, their unswerving 
devotion to duty and heroic constancy under all the dangers and hard- 
ships which such campaigns entail, have won for them an imperishable 
renown and the grateful admiration of their countrymen. The story 
of the Second Corps will live in history, and to its officers and men 
will be ascribed the honor of having served their country with unsur- 
passed fidelity and courage. Conscious that whatever inilitary honor 
has fallen to ine during my association with the Second Corps has been 
won by the gallantry of the officers and soldiers I have commanded, 
I feel that in parting from them, I am severing the strongest ties of my 
military life." 

General Grant, in his Memoirs, pays General Hancock 
the following tribute: 

"Hancock stands the most conspicuous figure of all the general 
officers who did not exercise a separate command. He commanded 
a corps longer than any other one, and his name was never mentioned 
as having committed in battle a blunder for which he was responsible. 
He was a man of very conspicuous personal appearance. Tall, well- 
formed, and, at the time of whicn I now write, young and fresh-looking, 
he presented an appearance that would attract the attention of an 
army as he passed. His genial disposition made him friends, and his 
personal courage and his presence with his command in the thickest 
of the fight, won for him the confidence of troops serving under him 
No matter how hard the tight, the Second Corps always felt that their 
commander was looking after them." 

General Humphreys had been General Meade's Chief-of- 
staflf for over a year. He commanded a Division of the Third 
Corps at the battle of Gettysburg. He bore little resemblance 
to General Hancock in personal appearance. He was a small 
man, physically, and his manners were simple and singularly 
pleasant. General Humphreys was a very scholarly man, and 
had belonged to the Corps of Engineers. He was cool and brave 
in battle and was an officer of the greatest merit. He will be 
remembered by the survivors of the Nineteenth as almost 
invariably wearing a small, bright red necktie. 

The writer remembers General Humphreys in May, 1883, 
as President of the Society of the Army of the Potomac. He 
had served the Society for one year as its President and some 
of General Grant's friends desired to elect him as Humphreys' 
successor. Humphreys evidently sympathized with this move- 
ment. Generals Grant and Newton had been placed in nomina- 



258 THE NINETEENTH A\AINE REGIAIENT 

tion. On the floor of the assembly, objections were maJe to 
Grant upon the ground that he was never a member of the 
Army of the Potomac but was with the Army for a season, 
while commanding all of the Union Armies. General Hum- 
phreys, with some feeling, replied to these objections. "I may 
be mistaken, but I am pretty sure 1 saw Grant in battle with 
the Army of the Potomac several times during the last year of 
the War." Nevertheless, General Newton won in the election. 

General Webb, the brave and beloved commander of the 
old Brigade, who had been seriously wounded while leading us 
at Spottsylvania, May 12th, 1864, returned to the army, at 
General Meade's request, and was assigned to duty as his Chief- 
of -staff, succeeding General Humphreys in that position. It 
seemed good to the boys to see General Webb again in 
the saddle. He continued with General Meade until the 
close of the war. He was honorably mustered out of the 
volunteer service, January 15th, 1866, and resigned from the 
regular army, December 5th, 1870. He was appointed Brevet 
Major-General in the volunteer service August ist, 1864, and to 
the same rank in the regular army, March 13th, 1865, for gallant 
and meritorious service during the war. He was awarded a 
Congressional gold medal of honor, "for distinguished personal 
gallantry in the battle of Gettysburg." After leaving the 
army, General Webb was president of the College City of New 
York, for thirty-three years. He is still living in that city, 
honored by a grateful people. 

On the day that Humphreys was assigned to the command 
of the Second Corps, General Gibbon wrote to General Meade 
that he regarded Humphreys' assignment to the command of the 
Corps as a reflection upon himself. Gibbon asked to be relieved 
of his present command. General Gibbon was a fine officer, 
but, perhaps, he was unduly sensitive. General Grant made 
such a complimentary indorsement upon Gibbon's letter that 
the request to be relieved was withdrawn. Gibbon was 
assigned to the command of the Twenty-fourth Army Corps 
the middle of December. 

Brigadier-General William Hays succeeded Gibbon as 
commander of the Division. He was the same officer who 



LAST WINTER IN CAMP 259 

commanded the Second Corps from Gettysburg to the Rap- 
pahannock. Hays and Smythe and Barlow, each for a short 
time, commanded our Division until the close of the War. 

In General Gibbon's valedictory to the Division, he used 
this appreciative language: 

"For nearly two years you have served under my command, and 
during this period we have passed through many bloody battles to- 
gether. I have always found you faithful, patriotic and brave. The 
bones of your dead and the mangled forms of your wounded comrades 
testify to your gallantry on many hard-fought fields." 

Colonel Starbird furnished the following information for 
the history of the Regiment: 

"We moved out of Fort Haskell November 29th, and to the left 
a short distance, and the next day moved farther to the left and went 
into camp near Patrick Station. The Regiment began preparations 
for building winter quarters the first day of December. From the 
formation of the Regiment, in August, 1862, to December, 1864, there 
had been three surgeons and seven assistant surgeons. These frequent 
changes had been detrimental to the best interests of the men, and 
Colonel Starbird determined that these changes should cease unless 
caused by sickness or death. His stand in the matter had the desired 
effect. There were no further resignations. Doctors Randall and 
Bussey remained with and faithfully served the Regiment until the 
close of the war. 

"Captain J. W. Spaulding, who went to Maine, September 7th, 
1864, on sick leave, and was later detailed as Inspector in the Provost- 
Marshal's office at Augusta, returned December 1st, and on December 
2nd was mustered into the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. The field 
and staff were now complete, the first time for many months. 

"The work of building winter quarters went on rapidly and all 
were happy in the prospect of a few months' rest after the long cam- 
paign, commencing with the battle of the Wilderness, May 5th. There 
had occurred many changes, resulting from the hard service. The 
vacancies among the officers had been filled. Sixty-four men had 
been added and with renewed courage, stimulated by the prospect 
of bringing the war to a close, all went to work with a will to prepare 
for the active work which the next campaign would surely have for 
them. Substantial houses were constructed and a comfortable guard- 
house, with cots and gun-racks, and a fire-place, large enough to keep 
the men comfortable, when off duty. The camp guard duty, which 
formerly, in cold weather, had been disliked, was now performed with 
pleasure. When relieved, after twenty-four hours' continuous service, 
the men came off duty clean and comfortable. After the guard-house 
and quarters for the men had been constructed, the houses for the 
officers were built. 

"When the Regiment was properly housed, an order was given 
that each and every man be inspected and all deficiencies in equipment 
and clothing be noted, and requisitions made therefor, by each com- 
pany commander. Anticipating that the clothing in use would be 
worn out by spring, new clothing was furnished the men then, to be 
carefully kept for inspection, reviews and parades, Hand the old 



26o THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

worn for all other duty. This method gave the men a bright, clean 
appearance whenever the Regiment paraded. The result of this 
arrangement was very satisfactory. The men took great pride in 
the appearance of the Regiment when on reviews with the other reg- 
iments of the Brigade and Division. Their appearance on public 
occasions not only stimulated their esprit de corps, but caused them 
to be objects of favorable comment throughout the Division, and 
added to their reputation and standing. The winter was passed very 
pleasantly. The Regiment became efficient in drill and discipline 
and in many ways was a marked organization. Pride is a basic attri- 
bute of the good soldier. If a soldier is well clothed and well fed, he 
has respect for himself and a pride in his company and regiment. It 
was ordered by the Division commander that a certain number, who, 
on competitive inspection should present the most soldierly appear- 
ance, should be furloughed. By far the larger number of furloughs 
fell to the men of the Nineteenth. 

"While the men were engaged in the duties of camp life, a 
strong and persistent effort was made to have those absent on de- 
tached service relieved and returned. Men belonging to the Regi- 
ment could be found at nearly every headquarters in the Corps, and 
in Washington and in some ot the states. These absentees were called 
for and their return requested. This effort resulted in the return of 
nearly all and gave a largely increased command for the spring cam- 
paign." 

Calvin B. Hinkley was promoted to be Captain of Company 
B, December 2nd, 1864. While the most of the commissioned 
officers of the Regiment, at the close of the war, had worked 
their way up from the ranks, Hinkley was the only captain, at 
the date of muster out, who had served in the Regiment as a 
private soldier. He enlisted July 21st, 1863, and came to the 
Regiment as a recruit. He was promoted to be Sergeant, 
December loth, 1863, and passed through the successive grades 
until he became Captain. Captain John A. Lord, of Company 
A, Captain T. B. Beath, of Company C, and Captain E. A. 
Burpee, of Company I, began their service as corporals. Cap- 
tain E. C. Pierce, of Company D, Captain Nehemiah Smart, of 
Company E, Captain A. L. White, of Company F, and Captain 
O. R. Small, of Company K, were appointed Sergeants at the 
organization of the Regiment. Captain Lincoln, of Company 
H, entered the service as First Lieutenant, and was promoted 
to be Captain, December ist, 1862, soon after the resignation of 
Captain Eaton of that Company. Captain Lincoln left the 
Regiment in 1863 and is borne on the Company rolls as on 
' recruiting service" in Maine, and never returned to the Regi- 
ment. Captain Addison W. Lewis, of Company G, entered 
the service on the 4th of October, 1864, as Captain of the 



LAST WINTER IN CAMP 



261 



Fifth G3mpany, unassigned infantry, and when his Company 
was broken up and assigned to the different Companies of the 
Regiment, he went to Company G as its last Captain and was 
discharged June 19th, 1865. 

Owing to the detail of Quartermaster Albert Hunter to 
Second Corps headquarters. Adjutant Henry Sewall was 
assigned as acting Quartermaster and Lieutenant Oliver R. 
Small filled the position of Adjutant until his promotion to 
Captain, and then Lieutenant William H. Gerrish succeeded 
him. 

The following roster of the officers January i , 1865, was fur- 
nished by Colonel Starbird. 



Isaac W. Starbird 
Joseph W. Spaulding 
David E. Parsons 
William H. Randall 
Benjamin Bussey, Jr. 
George W. Hathaway 
Henry Sewall 
Albert Hunter 



Field and Staff 



Colonel 

Lieutenant-Colonel 

Major 

Surgeon 

Assistant Surgeon 

Chaplain 

Adjutant 

Quartermaster 



Company A 

John A. Lord ...... Captain 

George Studley ...... Second Lieutenant 

Company B 

Calvin B. Hinkley ..... Captain 

Alfred E. Nickerson .... First Lieutenant 

Clarendon W. Gray .--.-- Second Lieutenant 

Company C 

Thomas P. Beath Captain 

James H. Pierce First Lieutenant 

Henry W. Nye ...... Second Lieutenant 

Company D 

Elbridge C. Pierce Captain 

Charles Bennett ..... First Lieutenant 

Franklin Adams Second Lieutenant 

Company E 

Nehemiah Smart ...... Captain 

Edward B. Sargent .... First Lieutenant 

George H. Paige Second Lieutenant 

Company F 

Ansel L. White Captain 

Edwin H. Rich First Lieutenant 

Joseph B. Babson Second Lieutenant 



262 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Company G 
Addison W. Lewis . . . . . Captain 
George P. Wood First Lieutenant 

Company H 

Willard Lincoln ._-._. Captain 

Charles P. Garland .... First Lieutenant 

William H. Tripp ...... Second Lieutenant 

Company I 

Edgar A. Burpee Captain 

William B. Sawyer .... First Lieutenant 

Company K 

Oliver R. Small ...... Captain 

Beniah P. DoloflE First Lieutenant 

William L. Gerrish ..... Second Lieutenant 

Very few changes occurred in the above list of officers, 
prior to the close of the war. 

Major-General B. F. Butler was relieved of his command 
of the Army of the James and the Department of Virginia and 
North Carolina on the 8th of January, 1865. The order re- 
lieving him was made by the President and upon the recom- 
mendation of General Grant, who stated that "the good of the 
service" required his removal, inasmuch as Butler was 'an 
unsafe Commander for a large army." He was succeeded by 
Major-General E. O. C. Ord, who was a Marylander by birth 
and who became Major-General of Volunteers in May, 1862. 
The three senior Major-Generals in the United States Volunteers, 
appointed May 16, 1861, were Dix, Banks and Butler. These 
were time serving and political appointments. 

General Butler was a Democrat and voted for Jeff Davis in 
the Charleston convention in i860. But from the very first 
manifestation of armed hostility to the Union, no one ever, for 
a moment, was in doubt as to the attitude and loyalty of Butler. 
But acknowledging his great administrative ability, and giving 
him credit for his splendid services at New Orleans and his 
honorable record as Commissioner for the exchange of pris- 
oners, yet he was relieved of his command none too soon. He 
had never been successful, as a commander of troops in the field. 
From Big Bethel to Fort Fisher, his failures were almost un- 
varying. Whenever work was committed to him requiring 
military skill, promptness in execution and bravery and 



LAST WINTER IN CAMP 263 

vigilance in battle, General Butler was a dismal failure. He 
was ordered to his home in Lowell, Massachusetts, and the war 
was finished without his further services, much to his dis- 
appointment. 

Some time after Butler's removal, Kautz's Cavalry 
Division, Gibbon's Twenty-fourth Corps, Birney's Division of 
colored troops and other small detachments were brought over 
from the Army of the James and attached to the Army of the 
Potomac for the serious work of the last campaign. 

The month of January, 1865, was a time of comparative 
quiet. The Regiment performed regular camp duties, with 
daily drills and occasional reviews. About the first of February, 
an expedition was planned by General Meade to break in upon 
the Confederate route for obtaining their supplies from the 
south over the Weldon railroad. At this time the Confederates 
were accustomed to run their trains on the Weldon railroad 
north, as far as Jarratt's depot and sometimes as far as Stony 
Creek Station, on the Nottoway River. From these points 
they would convey their supplies by teams across the country 
to the South Side railroad or by Dinwiddle Court House and 
thence into Petersburg by the most direct route open to them. 
When the troops for this project moved from the Union in- 
trenchments, Gregg's Cavalry Division started for Dinwiddle, 
followed by the supporting column of the Fifth Corps. General 
Miles' Division of the Second Corps held the left of the Union 
intrenchments. General Humphreys, with the other two 
Divisions of the Second Corps, the Second and Third, under 
Generals Smyth and Mott, was to keep up connection with 
Miles on the right and with Warren's Fifth Corps on the left. 
The Fifth Corps crossed Hatcher's run near where Gravelly 
run empties into the former, and marched across the country 
in the direction of Dinwiddle Court House until they came to 
the Vaughn road. After remaining in that position for a time 
the Corps marched up the Vaughn road and then took a cross 
road which led to the Boydton road until they came to the 
vicinity of Dabney's mill. The right of the Fifth Corps then 
rested on Hatcher's run and the left of the Corps with General 
Gregg on its flank, stretched off toward the Boydton road. 



264 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Now with this explanation it may be easier to understand 
the movements of our own Division. The Regiment with the 
Brigades of the Division, early in the morning of February 5th, 
was massed at the McDougall house. Preceeded by a small 
force of cavalry the Division pushed on toward Armstrong's 
mill just north of where the Vaughn road crossed Hatcher's 
run. The Nineteenth crossed Hatcher's run, driving the 
Confederate skirmishers back. The Seventh West Virginia 
Regiment from the Third Brigade of our Division, also crossed 
Hatcher's run. The men of the Regiment soon had possession 
of the rifle pits of the enemy. The rest of the Division on the 
east or north side of Hatcher's run now pushed north towards 
Armstrongs. About four o'clock in the afternoon the enemy 
made an attack on the Second Division line and about an hour 
later made another attack on our Division and at the same time 
attacked vigorously the Fifth Corps on our left. The right of 
the Second Division was near the Thompson House. The at- 
tack between four and five o'clock in the afternoon upon the 
right of our Division line indicated that the enemy meant to 
break through if possible. General Humphreys sent to Miles 
to borrow a Brigade and also called for McAllister's Brigade 
of Mott's Division from the south side of the run and put them 
in to strengthen the right of our Division line. We succeeded 
in holding the enemy in check. 

When the Union skirmishers advanced in the morning of 
February sixth, it was found that the Confederates had with- 
drawn into their intrenchments. Warren's Corps with Gregg 
was in position on the south or west side of Hatcher's run and 
Wheaton's Division of the Sixth Corps was with them as a sup- 
port. These troops pushed on toward the Boydton Road but 
were met by the Confederates on the afternoon of February 
sixth, near Dabney's mill and were driven back. The Con- 
federates were in heavy force here. At noon on the sixth, the 
Regiment recrossed Hatcher's run and joined the Brigade. 

The following is the report of Colonel Spaulding, who 
was in command of the Regiment at Hatcher's run. 

"This regiment left its camp in front of Fort Emery at 6 a. m., 
the fifth instant. Marched shortly after with the Division out about 



LAST WINTER IN CAMP 265 

two miles and a half on the Vaughn road, and^filed to the right into 
a by-road. Before reaching the Armstrong house, and while on the 
march, General Smyth ordered me to move the Regiment in line of 
battle off to the left; this was done, deploying two companies as skir- 
mishers in front. When the skirmish line reached Hatcher's Run 
the enemy's videttes were posted on the opposite bank, but imme- 
diately fell back to their skirmish line, which lay in a rifle-pit running 
parallel to and about ten rods from the opposite bank. The skir- 
mishers crossed the run and were 1 eld under cover until the Regiment 
crossed, which could only be done by one man crossing at a time on 
a fallen tree. The skirmishers then showed themselves and engaged 
the enemy's skirmishers. In less than fifteen minutes after the firing 
began the enemy ran from their rifle-pit, which was iinmediately 
occupied by our skirmish line. This line, increased by two more 
companies, now made connection on its right with the line on this 
side of the run; about one hour after, the skirmishers of the Third 
Division advancing, made connection with our left. At 4.30 p. m. 
the enemy advanced upon this line (which was immediately strength- 
ened by two more companies), but was checked, and in about an hour 
driven back. 

"At 12m., the sixth instant, this Regiment, having been relieved 
by troops from the Fifth Corps, rejoined the Brigade, aiid threw up 
breast- works in the afternoon. Lay in this position imtil the evening 
of the 10th instant, when the Regiment was deployed and engaged 
until 12 at night, in digging pits for the picket-line, and remained as 
pickets until 5 p. m. of the eleventh instant, when it was relieved and 
moved into its present camp." 

The casualties in the Second Corps amounted to about 
140 in killed and wounded. Included in the list of killed in 
the Second Corps was Colonel Murphy of the Sixty-ninth New 
York, who had been for some time commanding the Second 
Brigade of our Division. Colonel Murphy was regarded very 
highly as a Brigade commander and had been complimented 
more than once for his bravery on the field of battle. 

The result of the engagement on the fifth and sixth of 
February was to extend the Union intrenchments to the 
Vaughn road crossing of Hatcher's Run. The Second Corps 
now held the left of the army and the Fifth Corps was massed 
in our rear. 

The Confederate line was stretched for so great a distance 
that it was mighty thin and weak in places. 

For some weeks after the battle of Hatcher's Run, the 

Regiment remained in the vicinity of the Armstrong house. 

CASUALTIES OF THE NINETEENTH MAINE AT HATCHER'S 

RUN. 

^ February 5th to 7th, 1865. 

Company A 
Arthur E. Charles, died February 9th, 1865, of wounds received 
at Hatcher's Run. 



266 



THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 



Company B 
Charles F. Jewell, prisoner, February 6th, 1865. 
Company D 

John S. Moore, mortally wounded, February 5th; died the same 
day. 

Company I 
Frederick Rosignal, prisoner, i 

Henry W. Nye, who was Second Lieutenant of Company C, 
was discharged February 27, '65. George A. Barton was 
promoted Second Lieutenant of Company G, January 30th, '6^, 
and Second Lieutenant William L. Gerrish, of Company K, 
died February nth. Lieutenant Gerrish was acting Adjutant 
of the Regiment and died of congestive chills, after a very 
short illness. He was a graduate of Bowdoin College, a 
scholarly man, and well fitted for the position which he had 
won by his bravery and soldierly bearing. 

The conduct of the Nineteenth during its winter en- 
campment added much to its reputation for sobriety and 
trustworthiness. An amusing incident occurred on the first 
of January, which is worth recording. The officers of the Regi-. 
ment were invited to Brigade headquarters to participate in the 
festivities of New Year's evening. All the officers were re- 
quested to assemble at the Colonel's tent at the proper hour and 
go together. After assembling, the officers formed in two ranks. 
Colonel Starbird and Lieutenant-Colonel Spaulding forming 
the first file and so on down, according to rank. Upon arriving 
at Brigade headquarters, all were conducted into a tent, where 
there were tables loaded with the good things of life as far as 
they could be procured in that locality. As the officers stood in 
line, they were first offered, beginning with those highest in rank, 
some of that nourishment which is said to cool a man in summer 
and quicken his circulation in winter. To the surprise of officers 
from other regiments, it was declined from the right to the left 
of the line. All did justice, however, to the more solid viands. ' 
After passing a pleasant evening and forming to march out of 
the tent as they had entered, Captain Smart, a man of con- 

1 Frederick Rosignal was mustered into the service February 29th, 
1864. He was a prisoner at the close of the war and was captured 
near the time of this battle. The records do not disclose the precise 
date of capture. 



LAST WINTER IN CAMP 267 

siderable humor, said to Colonel Starbird: "The next time 
we go to Brigade headquarters, I think it would be best to 
march left in front !" 

Lieutenant-Colonel Spaulding was assigned to the command 
of the Fifty-ninth New York Regiment, on March 13th, and 
at his own request was relieved and returned to the Regiment 
on the 28th of the same month, so that he might be with his 
own boys in the spring campaign. Subsequently he was 
highly complimented by the officers of the Fifty-ninth and 
presented with a beautiful badge. 

From the beginning of the war there had been a vexatious 
lack of harmony between some of the governors of the seceded 
states and the Davis government. This was particularly true 
of Governors Vance, of North Carolina, and Brown, of Georgia. 
The "encroachments" of the National government had stimu- 
lated their imagination before the war, but later they experi- 
enced the relentless tyranny of the Confederate authorities. In 
the spring and summer of 1862 a long and acrimonious corres- 
pondence between Governor Brown, probably the ablest of 
their governors, and Jeflf Davis took place. Governor Brown 
contended that the Confederate conscription act was unconsti- 
tutional and protested against its execution as a "rapid stride 
toward military despotism." Against this bold and dangerous 
"usurpation" by the Confederate Congress, he threatened to use 
the military force of the state. 

As early as April 1864, Mr. Stephens, the Vice-president of 
the Confederacy, had denounced Jeff. Davis as "weak, vascillat- 
ing, timid, petulant, peevish and obstinate" and characterized 
his administration as one of "weakness and imbecility." 

Governor Vance, also, had troubles of his own. As illus- 
trating the amenities of this turbulent period and Vance's esti- 
mation of the impressment laws and the moral worth of the Con- 
federate cavalry, doing duty in his state, the following letter is 

introduced : 

"State of North Carolina, Executive Department, 

Raleigh, December 21, 1863. 
Hon. James A. Seddon, 

Secretary of War. 
Dear Sir: — 

I desire to call your attention to an evil which is inflicting great 



268 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

distress upon the people of this state and contributing largely to the 
public discontent. I allude to illegal seizures of property and other 
depredations of an outrageous character by detached bands of troops, 
chiefly cavalry. The Department, I am sure, can have no idea of the 
extent and character of this evil. It is enough in many cases to 
breed a rebellion in a loyal county against the Confederacy, and has 
actually been the cause of much alienation of feeling in many parts 
of North Carolina. It is not my purpose now to give instances and 
call for punishment of the offenders — that I do to their commanding 
officers — but to ask if some order or regulation for the government 
of troops on detached service, the severe and unflinching e.xecution of 
which might not check this stealing, pilfering, burning, and sometimes 
murderous conduct. I give you my word that in North Carolina it 
has become a grievance, intolerable, damnable, and not to be borne. 
If God Almighty had yet in store another plague worse than all others 
which he intended to have let loose on the Egyptians in case Pharaoh 
still hardened his heart, I am sure it must have been a regiment or 
so of half-armed, half-disciplined Confederate cavalry. Had they 
been turned loose among Pharaoh's subjects, with or without an im- 
pressment law, he would have become so sensible of the anger of God 
that he never would have followed the children of Israel to the Red 
Sea! No, sir, not an inch! Cannot officers be reduced to the ranks 
for permitting this? Cannot a few men be shot for perpetrating these 
outrages, as an example.'' Unless something can be done, I shall be 
compelled in some sections to call out my militia and levy actual war 
against them. I beg your early and earnest attention to this matter 

Very respectfully yours, 

Z. B. Vance." 

The following is the indorsement of the Secretary of 
War: 

"December 25, 186 3. 
Adjutant-General : 

Can you suggest or do you advise a general order to avert the 
threatened disasters which so affect Governor Vance's imagination 

J. A. S., 

Secretary." 

As the winter wore away, evidences began to multiply 
showing that the great Rebellion was reaching the last ditch. 
As month succeeded month, the feeling of confidence grew that 
we were rapidly approaching the end of the contest. Early 
in January, 1865, General Grant had issued and had printed a 
Special Order, with respect to the treatment to be accorded to 
deserters from the Confederate Army. These deserters who 
came to us were to be employed in the Quartermaster's depart- 
ment when they desired employment. No military service was 
to be required of them, and when they brought arms, mules, 
horses or other property into our lines, they were to be paid the 
' highest price" which such property was worth. Extraordinary 
efforts were made to give this special order wide circulation. 



LAST WINTER IN CAMP 269 

where it would do the most good. Every cavalry squadron on 
a raid into the enemy's country left copies of this order at 
houses and in old intrenchments. Copies were thrown out 
between the picket lines at night and bundles with stones at- 
tached thrown far toward their lines in the day time. These 
furnished good reading to the homesick and discontented 
Confederates, who, by means of deception, fraud or force, had 
been made unwilling soldiers. This literature, together witii 
the logic of events, began to bear fruit. 

in February, 1865, General Lee began calling the attention 
of the officials of the crumbling Confederacy to the 'alarming 
frequency of desertions" from the Confederate army. At om 
time in February, he reported four hundred desertions in 
twelve days from the Divisions of Wilcox and Heth alone. He 
reported again the same month that hundreds of men were 
deserting "nightly." In ten days, from February 5th to 
February 15th, Lee informed his government that 1094 men had 
deserted from the infantry troops alone, some of whom had 
come into our lines. On January 23rd, General Anderson 
reported that desertions were increasing in his Division. 

Colonel Lang, commanding Finegan's Brigade in Mahone's 
Division, reported that on January 17th, four men, occupying 
a pit on the picket line, were suspected of an intention to desert 
and a sentinel was placed on guard over them, one on each side 
of the pit. During the night the six men walked into our lines ! 
They were Florida soldiers. 

Stringent measures were adopted to keep the Confederate 
soldiers from deserting, from leaving the ranks, and even from 
talking discouragingly of the gloomy outlook. By general 
orders, issued February 22nd, 1865, General Lee provided for 
one file-closer for every ten men. These file-closers were to be 
"carefully instructed in their duties by regimental commanders." 
Among the duties prescribed for them, were to promptly "cut 
down and fire upon" men who refused to advance, disobeyed 
orders, retreated or used words "calculated to produce alarm 
among the troops." ^ 

In Jan uary, 1865, we find Governors Brown, of Georgia, and 
. ^_ 1 W. R. Vol. 46, part 2, page 1249. 



270 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Vance, of North Carolina, corresponding with reference to a 
convention of the governors of some of the secession states, 
squinting toward a second secession. Governor Vance ex- 
pressed the fear that a severance of existing relations could 
not possibly be effected with such unanimity as to prevent 
a considerable minority — backed by the army inaugurating 
"a state of anarchy more horrible than anything yet endured." 
They balked at further "domestic strife and bloodshed." The 
medicine they swallowed with bravado in 1861, was beginning 
to operate in a different manner from what they had dreamed. 

Henry S. Foote, a member of the Confederate congress 
from Tennessee, having become discouraged or disgusted, was 
endeavoring, with his wife to get out of the Confederacy. He 
hoped to get through the lines unmolested. He was arrested, 
however, at Occoquan, a small village twenty-five miles south of 
Alexandria, and taken back to Richmond. Our War Depart- 
ment sent to Occoquan and brought Mrs. Foote to Washington. 
Foote was United States Senator from Mississippi from '47 to 
'52 and beat Jeff Davis in the canvass for Governor of that 
state in 1852. He frequently spoke against secession in Ten- 
nessee in 1 86 1. Mr. Foote was released at Richmond, upon 
the recommendation of the Confederate congress, after his ap- 
plication for a writ of habeas corpus had been granted. He went 
north to New York and thence to Europe. Mr. Foote begged 
the privilege of returning to the United States within three 
months. He stated that there was a "solemn compact entered 
into" between most of the Tennessee, a large minority of 
the North Carolina, Georgia and Alabama, and a small por- 
tion of the Mississippi and Virginia delegations in the Confed- 
erate congress, that "if peace was not speedily restored, they 
would, in defiance of Jeff Davis and the war faction, stump 
their respective states for immediate reunion with the Federal 
states." ■ Foote, who never had much love for Davis, stated 
that all well-informed citizens of the South knew their cause 
was doomed to failure. 

On the 3rd of February, President Lincoln and Secretary 
Seward had an interview, in Hampton Roads, on board of a 
steamer, with Alexander H. Stephens, J. A. Campbell and 



LAST WINIER IN CAMP 27 1 

R. M. T. Hunter from Richmond. Lincoln went down to meet 
these men at the suggestion of General Grant. The interview 
was, in the language of the Confederate commissioners, "to 
ascertain upon what terms the existing war can be terminated 
honorably." When President Lincoln informed these three 
gentlemen that three things were indispensably necessary to the 
termination of the war, viz: "The restoration of the National 
authority throughout all the states, the freedom of the slaves 
and the disbanding of all forces hostile to the Government," 
these three gentlemen shouldered their baggage and their 
humiliation and returned to Richmond, sadder and wiser men. 
Stephens was vice-president of the so-called Confederacy and 
originally a Union man. Campbell was from Alabama and had 
been formerly a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United 
States, but resigned in 1861 and went south. Hunter had 
been United States Senator from Virginia and was expelled 
from the Senate in July 1861, after his withdrawal, to try 
secession with his State. 

The Confederates had begun their preparations for arming 
the negroes in February and March, 1865. It was a measure 
adopted in their extremity and as a last resort, it was with 
them a serious question how extensively or how willingly their 
slaves would engage in a war, the express object of which was to 
continue them and their children in everlasting bondage. The 
war closed so soon that this problem was never solved. 

There has been a concerted effort in the South, during the 
last few decades, to demonstrate that slavery was not the cause 
of the war. The reflection that a wicked and causeless war was 
precipitated upon the country and the fair Southland was made 
desolate and her sons given a sacrifice for the perpetuation of 
human slavery, does not leave a good taste in the mouth. After 
President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation had been issued, 
Jefferson Davis, in a message to the Confederate Congress spoke 
of that proclamation as "the most execrable measure recorded 
in the history of guilty man." There is chiselled into the gran- 
ite monument that marks the grave of Mr. Davis in Richmond, 
the recital that he was the "Defender of the Constitution." 
This, in itself, would be amusing, were it not for the fact that 
there are a few people left who believe the inscription to be true. 



272 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 



CHAPTER XVI, 



PRISONERS OF WAR. 

"The difference between the martyr and the victim, the 
soldier who falls on the field of honor and a man who meets a 
miserable death from preventable causes for which his govern- 
ment is criminally respon ible, is as wide as the celestial diam- 
eters. The one meets death, compensated in the thought that 
his life is given in the protection of his country's flag and honor; 
the other is ignominiously forced to the grave through the neg- 
lect of the government that shamefully fails to protect the life 
he offered in its defence." 

The author of the above lines is unknown to the writer of 
this history, but he desires to adopt them as his own. Of all the 
horrors that are remembered in connection with the War of 
the Rebellion, the most pitiful and, to a large extent, prevent- 
able, are the large number of prisoners who died of disease and 
starvation in Confederate prisons. The exact number will 
never be known. From thirteen to fifteen thousand were 
buried at Andersonville prison — the very name of which has 
become a synonym for unbelievable brutality and fiendishness. 
In the Andersonville list of martyrs, Maine furnished nearly 
three hundred. The imperfectly kept records disclose the 
names of 232 Maine soldiers. Of this number, thirty-two 
soldiers came from the Nineteenth Maine. As nearly as can 
be ascertained, our Regiment had more than fifty men who 
died in the prisons of the South. These numbers include the 
members of the Fourth Maine, who died after their transfer 
to our Regiments. 

No one in the North believes today that Confederate sol- 
diers were starved to death in Northern prisons. The mortality 
among these soldiers was very great. It is generally thought 
that climatic influences was a potent factor in producing such 



PRISONERS OF WAR 273 

appalling mortality. Confederate soldiers from the Gulf states 
must have suffered extremely from the cold winters at Elmira, 
New York, on Johnson's Island and at Chicago, especially where 
the prison consisted of an open stockadge, as at Elmira. In 
"Regimental Losses," by Colonel W. F. Fox, a statement is 
made, which the writer has never seen denied: that the field in 
which three thousand Confederate soldiers were buried at El- 
mira was plowed very soon after the war and sowed with wheat. 
"Now the grain of summer and the snow of winter show no 
sign of the hapless Confederates who are buried and rest beneath 
its surface." This statement causes a blush of shamie to mantle 
the cheeks of every self-respecting Union soldier who met these 
brave but misguided Confederates on the field of battle. 

There must have been some causes thought to be sufficient 
which set aside Union prisoners to languish and to die in prison, 
instead of paroling and exchanging them. That cause is not 
far to seek. The truth ought to be plain now, however much 
writers have attempted to cloud the issue and misrepresent the 
facts. A history of the Nineteenth Maine would be incomplete 
without some reference to its soldiers who were left to languish 
and die in these prison pens. If the Confederate government 
refused to exchange prisoners with our government, then there 
is not much to be said. If, however, the exchange of prisoners 
was, through deceit and jugglery, deliberately prevented by 
our own government, that fact, in all fairness, ought to be re- 
corded. 

On the 19th of April, i86i. President Lincoln issued a 
proclamation, in which he declared that all persons taken 
prisoners from Rebel privateers which had begun to destroy 
our shipping, should "be held amenable to the laws of the 
United States for thepreventation and punishment of piracy." 
In plain language, this meant that they should be hung. Soon 
after this proclamation was issued, the Union tars captured 
the Rebel privateers "Jeft' Davis," "Savannah," "Petrel" and 
others, and with them, quite a number of prisoners. One of 
these prisoners, a certain William Smith, taken from the "Jeff," 
Davis," was tried before a United States court in Philadelphia 
in October, 1861, for the crime of piracy, and was found guilty. 



274 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

There were upwards of fifty privateer prisoners left for trial. 
President Davis sent a letter to President Lincoln, on July 6th, 
1 86 1, calling attention to the rumored attitude which our 
government proposed to take with respect to privateer prison- 
ers, and offering to exchange, man for man, the naval prisoners 
held by both governments. Davis informed the President in 
this letter that he proposed to deal out to the prisoners held 
by him the same treatment and the same fate experienced by 
the Confederate privateersmen. There is no evidence that this 
letter was ever answered. On November 9th, General Winder, 
under the direction of the Confederate War Department, drew 
by lot the name of Michael Corcoran — Colonel of the Sixty- 
ninth New York Regiment, as a hostage to answer for Smith. 
Thirteen other officers — all field officers but three — were then 
drawn by lot to answer for a like number of Confederate prison- 
ers of war captured at sea by the Union navy. Among these 
officers were Colonels Lee, of the Twentieth Massachusetts, and 
Cogswell, of the Forty-second New York Regiment, both of 
which regiments were in our Brigade the last year of the war. 
After some months of weighing consequences, these Confederate 
seamen were paroled and exchanged. This fiasco ended the 
hanging of Confederate privateersmen, and for a short time 
interrupted the exchange of prisoners. 

During the first two years and a half of the war the parol- 
ing and exchanging of prisoners, with some friction occasionally 
manifested, went on without serious interruption.. On July 
23rd, 1862, a general cartel for the paroling and exchanging of 
prisoners was agreed upon and signed on behalf of their respec- 
tive governments by Major-General Dix for the United States 
and Major-General D. H. Hill for the Confederate government. 
This agreement was ratified by the respective governments. It 
included " all prisoners of war held by either party." This cartel 
provided (Art. 4) that all prisoners of war should "be discharged 
on parole in ten days after their capture." Surplus prisoners 
upon either side not exchanged were not permitted to take 
up arms nor perform any military duty until regularly ex- 
changed. Aiken's Landing, on the James river, and Vicksburg, 
on the Mississippi, were the places designated for the delivery 



PRISONERS OF WAR 275 

of paroled prisoners until regularly exchanged. In case any 
misunderstanding arose in regard to any clause or stipulation 
in the articles of agreement, it was mutually agreed that such 
misunderstanding should not interrupt the release of prisoners 
on parole, but should be made the subject of "friendly explana- 
tions." In the voluminous correspondence between the two 
governments this general cartel is often referred to by the Con- 
federate authorities, who simply demanded that its terms 
should be complied with by our people in the spirit in which 
it was originally entered into and ratified. 

Sometimes the excess of prisoners was with us and some- 
times with the Confederates. From the date of the cartel until 
July I St, 1863, the excess was generally in favor of the Con- 
federates. Subsequent to that date, the excess was generally 
in our favor. There was some controversy over the prisoners 
paroled by General Grant at Vicksburg, many of whom deserted 
before General Pemberton could get them to some central sta- 
tion within the Confederate lines. The Union authorities 
charged that the Confederates had declared Pemberton's men 
as exchanged without authority, and that their action was a 
breach of the cartel on the part of the Confederates. There 
was also some disagreement between the governments in 
regard to the prisoners paroled by General Banks at Port Hud- 
son. 

General Butler was appointed Commissioner for the ex- 
change of prisoners in November, 1863, having his headquar- 
ters with the Army of the James and convenient to Aiken's 
Landing. General Butler had been "outlawed" by the Con- 
federate government, and his appointment was especially 
offensive to the Confederates. At first they declined to have 
any communication with him. Nauseating, however, as this 
dose of medicine was, they gulped it down in order to facilitate 
the exchange of prisoners, something which they favored and 
which might possibly have benefited them more than us. 

On the i8th of November, 1863, General Butler, writing 
from Fortress Monroe to Secretary Stanton, used the following 
language: 



276 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

"I am informed and believe that the Rebel authorities will ex- 
change every officer and soldier they now hold in custody, whether 
colored or not, upon receiving an equivalent number in rank from us. 
* * * I assume that we have, in actual custody, some twenty-six 
thousand prisoners, against thirteen thousand that the Rebels have. 
Now, then, why may rot Ould's proposition be accepted, and we ex- 
change man for man, officer for officer, luitil the Rebels stop? If then 
every prisoner they hold has been exchanged, then the question of 
color does not arise, and our men will have been relieved from starva- 
tion up to that number. But, if the colored prisoners and their officers 
shall not be produced by the Rebels for exchange, we shall have ten 
thousand of their men upon whom to work both retaliation and re- 
prisal to the fullest extent, — to wring from the Rebels justice to the 
colored soldiers. It is not necessary to argue this point; its statement 
is the argument. This action — not offers and correspondence — will 
place the government right before the country, and if then the Negro 
prisoners, whether civilians or soldiers or their officers are kept in 
prison or maltreated, the world will justify us in reprisal and retaliation 
to any extent." 

At first the South refused to parole any officers or soldiers 
of Negro regiments. This position, however, was soon aban- 
doned. But the Confederate government then and always 
claimed the right, where runaway slaves were captured while 
wearing our uniform, to return them when identified, to their 
owners, on demand. It is not probable that a hundred slaves 
were returned to their owners in this way; yet its importance 
was purposely exaggerated by our government in order to make 
an excuse to give the public for refusing to parole and exchange 
the prisoners held by us. 

Under date of April 9th, 1864, General Butler, as Com- 
missioner of exchange, wrote a letter to Secretary Stanton, in 
which he informed that official of a recent interview he had had 
with Commissioner Ould on behalf of the Confederates and of 
their discussion of all differences existing between the two 
governments. Then General Butler adds: 

"In regard to the paroles, the Confederate commissioner claims 
nothing, so far as I can see, which he is not willing to concede to us, 
acting under the cartel and our general orders, with the exception that 
I believe on both sides it should be yielded that before as well as 
subsequent to order No. 207, of July 3rd, 1863, paroles should not be 
accepted by either belligerent of officers or soldiers who were not so 
far in the power of the captor as to be taken to a place of safety, and 
I believe this proposition will be agreed to by the Confederate com- 
missioner. * * * All other points of difference were substantially 
agreed upon so that the exchange might go on rapidly and smoothly, 
man for man and officer for officer of equal rank, and officers for their 
equivalents in privates, as settled by the cartel." 



PRISONERS OF WAR 277 

On April ist, 1864, General Grant visited General Butler 
at Fortress Monroe and gave him most emphatic verbal orders 
not to take any steps by which another able-bodied man should be 
exchanged until further orders from him. General Grant 
stated that by the exchange of prisoners we received no men 
fit to go into our army, and every soldier we gave to the Con- 
federates went immediately into theirs, so that the exchange 
was virtually so much aid to them and none to us.* General 
Grant, on the 14th of April, 1864, sent the following communica- 
tion to General Butler: "Your report respecting negotiations 
with Commissioner Ould for the exchange of prisoners of war 
has been referred to me for my orders. Until examined by 
me, and my orders thereon are received by you, decline all 
further negotiations." 

One Colonel D.T. Chandler, an Assistant Inspector-General, 
August 5th, 1864, made a report to General R. H. Chilton, 
Assistant Adjutant and Inspector-General at Richmond de- 
scribing the conditions existing at Andersonville and painting 
such a picture of the deplorable conditions there, that appear 
at this time almost unbelievable. General Chilton indorsed 
upon the report when referring it to the Confederate Secretary 
of War as follows: "The condition of the prison at Anderson- 
ville is a reproach to us as a nation." When the report reached 
the Confederate War Department, among the things indorsed 
and recommended are the following: "The discomforts and 
sufferings of the prisoners seem almost incredible ; and the fright- 
ful percentum of mortality, steadily increasing until in the 
month of July it had attained the extent of 62.7 per one thou- 
sand, appears to be only a necessary consequence of the criminal 
indifference of the authorities charged with their care and 
custody. No effectual remedy for all these evils seems available 
so long as the numbers are in such large excess over that for 
which the prison was designed ; but something must be done at 
once to ameliorate the condition "^ 

In Colonel Chandler's report he states: 

"There is no medical attendance furnished within the stockade. 
Small quantities of medicines are placed in the hands of certain prison- 

1 Butler's Book, p. 592. 

2W. R. Series II. Vol. VII. p. 550. 



278 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

ers of each squad or division and the sick are directed to be brought 
out by the sergeants of squads daily to 'sick-call' to the medical officers 
who attend at the gate. The crowd at these times is so great that 
only the strongest can get access to the doctors, the weaker ones being 
unable to force their way through the press; and the hospital accom- 
modations are so limited that though the beds (so-called) have all or 
nearly all two occupants each, large numbers who would otherwise be 
received are necessarily sent back to the stockade. Many — twenty 
yesterday — are carted out daily who have died from unknown causes 
and whom the medical officers have never seen. The dead are hauled 
out daily by the wagon load and buri^ad without coffins, their hands in 
many instances being first mutilated with axes in the removal of any 
finger rings they may have. The sanitary condition of the prisoners 
is as wretched as can be, the principal cause of mortality being scurvy 
and chronic diarrhea, the percentage of the former being disproportion- 
ately large among those brought from Belle Isle. Nothing seems to 
have been done and but little if any effort made to arrest it by procur- 
ing proper food." 

On August 14th, 1864, Major-General Stoneman, then 
confined in the mihtary prison at Charleston, South CaroHna, 
and other officers there confined with him, joined in a petition 
to the President of the United States urging the exchange of 
prisoners confined at Andersonville. At the same time there 
was a petition to the same effect presented by the Sergeants, 
commanding squads in Andersonville prison. It is distressing 
to read these appeals to our Government. Among these peti- 
tioning Sergeants we find the names of W. D. Gilmore, Company 
H, Fourth Maine, and F. Webers, Company G, Ninth Maine. 
General Stoneman and the other officers at Charleston after 
reciting the fact that nothing more demoralizes soldiers and 
develops the evil passions of men than does starvation, and that 
the prisoners at Andersonville were fast losing hope, and crazed 
by their sufferings were wandering about in a state of idiocy, 
add in their petition: 

"Few of them have been captured except in the front of battle in 
the deadly encounter, and only when overpowered by numbers; they 
constitute as gallant a portion of our armies as carry our banner any- 
where. If released they would soon return to again do vigorous battle 
for ourcause. We are told that the only obstacle in the way of exchange 
is the status of enlisted negroes captured from our armies ; the United 
States claiming that the cartel covers all who serve under its flag and 
the Confederate States refusing to consider the negro soldiers, hereto- 
fore slaves, as prisoners of war. We beg leave to suggest some facts 
bearing upon the question of exchange which we would urge upon this 
consideration. 

"Is it not consistent with the national honor, without waiving the 
claim that the negro soldiers shall be treated as prisoners of war, yet 
to effect an exchange of the white soldiers? The two classes are treated 



PRISONERS OF WAR 279 

differently by the enemy, the white is confined in such prisons as Libby 
and Andersonville, starved and treated with a barbarism unknown 
to civilized nations; the black, on the contrary, is seldom imprisoned; 
they are distributed among the citizens or employed upon Government 
works. Under these circumstances they receive enough to eat and 
are worked no harder than accustomed to; they are neither starved 
nor killed off by the pestilence in the dungeons of Richmond and 
Charleston. It is true they are again made slaves, but their slavery 
is freedom and happiness compared with the cruel existence imposed 
upon our gallant men. They are not bereft of hope, as are the Union 
soldiers dying by inches. Their chances of escape are tenfold greater 
than those of the white soldiers, and their condition, viewed in all its 
lights, is tolerable in comparison with that of the prisoners of war 
now languishing in the dens and pens of 'Secession.' " 

"Let 35,000 suffering, starving and dying enlisted men aid this 
appeal to the Chief Magistrate of the Republic for prompt and decisive 
action in their behalf; 35,000 heroes will be made happy. For the 
1,800 commissioned officers, now prisoners, we urge nothing. Although 
desirous of returning to our duty, we can bear imprisonment with more 
fortitude if the enlisted men, whose sufferings we know to be intoler- 
able, were restored to liberty and life." 

At a meeting of the Sergeants commanding detachments of 
prisoners at Andersonville in July, 1S64, a preamble and address 
were unanimously adopted. This address was couched in the 
most moderate language so as not to offend the Confederates 
who knew of the action of the prisoners. This production of 
the Andersonville prisoners was carried through the lines by 
Prescott Tracy, a private in Company G, Eighty-second New 
York — a regiment belonging to our Brigade, Tracy was 
captured at the battle of Jerusalem plank road and paroled in 
August 1864. He saw General Stoneman in Charleston and 
secreted upon his clothing General Stoneman's petition and 
brought it through the lines. Both petitions were later presen- 
ted to President Lincoln. This address of the Andersonville 
prisoners is as follows: 'i 

"Preamble. — Apparently one of the effects of the'progress of this 
terrible war has been to deaden our sympathies and make us more 
selfish than we were when the tocsin of battle strife first sounded in the 
land. Perhaps this state of public feeling was to have been antici- 
pated. The frequency with which you hear of captures in battles, 
and the accounts which you have seen of their treatment, has robbed 
the spectacle of its novelty and, by a law of nature, has taken off the 
edge of sensibilities and made them less the subject of interest. No 
one can know the horrors of imprisonment in crowded and filthy quar- 
ters but him who has endured it, and it requires a brave heart not to 
succumb. But hunger, filth, nakedness, squalor, and disease are as 
nothing compared with the heartsickness which wears prisoners down , 
most of them young men whose terms of enlistment have expired, and 
many of them with nothing to attach them to the cause in which they 



280 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

suffer but principle and love of country and of friends. Does the mis- 
fortune of being taken prisoner make us less the object of interest and 
value to our government? If such you plead, plead it no longer. 
These are no common men, and it is no common merit tnat they call 
upon you to aid in their release from captivity. 

We, undersigned sergeants in the U. S. Army, having in charge 
the various detachments of prisoners now confined in Anderson ville, 
Ga., would respectfully represent: 

First: That a large portion of the prisoners have been held as 
such for periods ranging from nine to fifteen months, subject to all 
hardships and privations incident to a state of captivity in an enemy's 
country. 

Second. That there are now confined in this prison from 25,000 to 
30,000 men, with daily accessions of hundreds, and that the mortality 
among them, generated by various causes, such as change of climate, 
dirt, and want of proper exercise, is becoming truly frightful to con- 
template, and is rapidly increasing in virulence, decimating their ranks 
by hundreds weekly. 

Third. In view of the foregoing facts, we, your petitioners, most 
earnestly yet respectfully pray that some action be immediately 
taken to effect our speedy release, either on parole or by exchange, 
the dictates both of humanity and justice alike demanding it on the 
part of our Government. 

Fourth. We shall look forward with a hopeful confidence that 
something will be speedily done in this matter, believing that a proper 
statement of the facts is all that is necessary to secure a redress of the 
grievances complained of. 

Fifth. The above has been read to each detachment by its respec- 
tive sergeant and been approved by the men, who have unanimously 
authorized each sergeant to sign it as will and deed of the whole." 

These pitiful and heartrending appeals fell upon deaf ears. 
Full authority with respect to exchange of prisoners was vested 
in the Commander-in-chief and he had ordered that no further 
exchanges should be made. This order did not apply to naval 
prisoners. Special exchanges also of officers, who had strong 
political influence with their home government, was constantly 
carried on. 

On August 19th, 1864, General Grant in a letter to Secre- 
tary Seward states that" We ought not to make a single exchange 
nor release a prisoner on any pretext whatever. We have got 
to fight until the military power of the South is exhausted, and 
if we release or exchange prisoners captured it simply becomes 
a war of extermination." (W. R. Vol. 7, Series 2, p. 615.) 

On the loth of August, 1864, the Confederate authorities 
professing to be moved by the suffering of the men in prisons 
upon each side, yielded every demand that they ever made for 
what they claimed to be fairness in the exchange of prisoners, 



PRISONERS OF WAR 281 

and addressed the following letter to our assistant commissioner 

of exchange, at Fortress Monroe: 

"Richmond, Va., August 10th, '64. 
Maj. John Mulford, 

Asst. Agent of Exchange. 
Sir: — You have several times proposed to me to exchange the 
prisoners respectively held by the two belligerents officer for officer 
and man for man. The same offer has also been made by other offi- 
cials having charge of the matters connected with tbe exchange of 
prisoners. This proposition has heretofore been declined by the 
Confederate authorities, they insisting upon the terms of the cartel 
which required the delivery of the excess upon either side upon parole. 
In view, however, of the very large number of prisoners now held by 
each party, and the suffering consequent upon their continued confine- 
ment, I now consent to the above proposal and agree to deliver to you 
the prisoners held in captivity by the Confederate authorities, pro- 
vided you agree to deliver an equal number of Confederate officers 
and men. As equal numbers are delivered from time to time, they 
will be declared exchanged. This proposal is made with the under- 
standing that the officers and men on both sides, who have been longest 
in captivity, will be first delivered, where it is practicable. I shall 
be happy to hear from you as speedily as possible whether this arrange- 
ment can be carried out. 

Respectfully your obedient servant, 
R. Ould, 

Agent of Exchange." 

When this letter was delivered there was a statement of 
the great mortality which was hurrying so many Union prison- 
ers to the grave at Andersonville. A copy of this letter was 
sent to General Hitchcock, the United States Commissioner of 
exchange, and also to Secretary Stanton at Washington. By 
continual pounding, after the lapse of more than twenty days 
the following letter was sent to the Confederate Commissioner 
of exchange, under date of August 31, 1864: 

"Hon. R. Ould, 

Agent of Exchange. 
Sir: 

"I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of 
to-day, requesting answer, etc., to your communication of the 10th 
inst., on the question of exchange of prisoners. To which, in reply, 
I would say, I have no communication on the subject from our author- 
ities, nor am I authorized to make answer. 
I am, sir, very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 

John E. Mulford, 

Asst. Agent of Exchange." 

So far as the records show, no further attention was ever 
paid to this eminently fair proposition on the part of the Con- 
federate authorities. 



282 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Subsequent to that time, there was an agreement between 
the Union and Confederate governments that each side might 
send anything in the way of eatables, clothing and blankets to 
their prisoners which it was desired to send. Union officers who 
were prisoners in the South were selected to distribute what 
was sent to the Union prisoners there, and Confederate officers, 
confined in prisons in the North, were authorized to distribute 
what was sent from the South. This agreement was entered 
into between Generals Grant and Lee. It went on satisfacto- 
rily for a while and then there was such a hue and cry made that 
the supplies for our prisoners in the South were not being fairly 
distributed, and were being stolen by the Confederate 
authorities, that, after furnishing a statement from the Union 
officers distributing our supplies in the South showing the fair- 
ness with which the work had been done. Commissioner Ould 
sent a communication stopping all further courtesies of that 
kind. 

Some time in the late summer or early autumn of 1864, 
after consultation with General Grant and with his approval, 
General Butler prepared a long argument pretending to set forth 
our side of the controversy with the Confederates, couched in 
the most offensive form possible, consistent with ordinary 
courtesy of language and forwarded the same to Mr. Ould, the 
Confederate Commissioner. This was done for the purpose of 
carrying out the wishes of General Grant that no prisoners of 
war should be exchanged. The claims set forth by General 
Butler in this letter were purposely made extravagant. General 
Butler has stated that with the consent of General Grant, as 
a last resort, in order to prevent the exchange of prisoners, he 
determined to demand that the outlawry against him should 
be formally reversed by the Confederate government and 
apologized for before he would enter into any further negotia- 
tions with Mr. Ould. This "last resort" move of Butler was 
approved by General Grant. General Butler's argument, 
however, was sufficient to settle the Confederntes for a while. 

General Grant readily consented to the exchange of naval 
prisoners. Naval colored prisoners did not impede in any 
respect the exchange of prisoners. General Butler wrote to 



PRISONERS OF WAR 283 

Secretary Stanton, October 3rd, 1864, complaining of this 
procedure. He stated that "our soldiers will not be too well 
1 le sed to hear that sailors can, and soldiers cannot, be ex- 
( hanged. 

To illustrate how important a factor former slaves had 
become in relation to the subject to the exchange of prison- 
ers the following correspondence is introduced: 

"Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia, 

October 1, 1864. 
Lieut.'Gen. U. S. Grant, Commanding Armies of the United States: 

General: With a view of alleviating the sufferings of our 
soldiers, I have the honor to propose an exchange of the prisoners of 
war belonging to the armies operating in Virginia, man for man, or 
upon the basis established by the cartel. 

With much respect, your obedient servant, 

R. E. Lee, 

General." 

"Headquarters Armies of the United States, 

October 2, 1864. 
General R. E. Lee, Commanding Army of Northern Virginia: 

General: Your letter of yesterday proposing to exchange 
prisoners of war belonging to the armies operating in Virginia is received. 
I could not of a right accept your proposition further than to exchange 
those prisoners captured within the last three days and who have not 
yet been delivered to the Commissary-General of Prisoners. Among 
those lost by the armies operating against Richmond were a number 
of colored troops. Before further negotiations are had upon the sub- 
ject I would ask if you propose delivering these men the same as white 
soldiers. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

U. S. Grant, 



"Headquarters Army of Northern Virginia, 



Lieuten ant-General . ' ' 



October 3, 1864. 



Lieut. Gen. U. S. Grant, 

Commanding Armies of the United States: 
General: In my proposition of the 1st instant to exchange 
the prisoners of war belonging to the armies operating in Virginia I in- 
tended to include all captured soldiers of the United States of whatever 
nation and color under my control. Deserters from our service and 
negroes belonging to our citizens are not considered subjects of ex- 
change and were not included in my proposition. If there are any such 
among those stated by you to have been captured around Richmond 
they cannot be returned. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

R. E. Lee, 

General." 



284 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

"Headquarters Armies of the United States, 

October 3, 1864. 
General R. E. Lee, Commanding Army of Northern Virginia: 

GENERAL: Your letter of this date is received. In answer 
I have to state that the Government is bound to secure to all persons 
received into her armies the rights due to soldiers. This being denied 
by you in the persons of such men as have escaped from Southern 
masters induces me to decline inaking tne exchanges you ask. The 
whole matter, however, will be referred to the proper authority for their 
decision, and whatever it tnay bs will be adhered to. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

U. S. Grant, 

Lieutenant-General, ' ' 1 

Mr. Ould, the Commissioner of exchange, under date of 
November ist, 1864, in his report to Mr. Seddon, Confederate 
Secretary of War, uses the following language: 

"At the time of my last report, we insisted upon the release of 
all prisoners, the excess to be on parole. The enemy refused to comply 
with this plain requirement of the cartel and demanded, when a deliv- 
ery of the prisoners was made, an equal number in return. Seeing 
the persistent purpose on the part of the Federal Government to violate 
this agreement, our authorities, moved by the sufferings of the brave 
men who were so unjustly held in Northern prisons, determined to 
abate their just demands, and accordingly, on the 10th of August 
last, I offered to exchange the prisoners respectively held by the two 
belligerents, officer for officer and man for man, and only stipulated 
that the officers and men who had been longest in captivity should 
be first delivered, where it was practicable. Although this offer was 
substantially what had often been proposed by the Federal author- 
ities, and would have left in their hands whatever excess of prisoners 
they might have had, yet it was not accepted. ******* 
Lately I have consummated an agreemenc for the release and exchange 
of all naval prisoners. A partial delivery has already been made and 
another is daily expected, wnich will fully carry out tne agreement." 

This report of Mr. Ould was not made for publication, but 
was furnished in accordance with the requirements of the Con- 
federate government. It may be taken as settled that the 
Confederates offered to exchange prisoners,"officer for officer and 
man for man," until all the prisoners held by the Confederates 
were exchanged. And then we would have had nearly 15,000 
Confederate prisoners on our hands. 

Surgeon Joseph Jones of the Confederate army was ordered 
to inspect the Anderson ville Prison, and on October 19th, 1864, 
made a full report to Surgeon-General Moore of the Confederate 
War Department. The following extract shows some of the 

1\V. R. Series II, Volume VII, p. p. 906, 909, 914. 



PRISONERS OF WAR 285 

horrible and revolting conditions existing in that prison and 
endured by the unfortunate Union prisoners there confined: 

"Since the establishment of this prison on the 24th of February, 
1864, to the present time, over 10,000 Federal prisoners have died; 
that is, nearly one-third of the entire number have perished in less 
than seven months. 

"I instituted careful investigations into the condition of the sink 
and well and performed numerous post-mortem examinations. The 
medical topography of Andersonville and the surrounding country 
was examined, and the waters of the springs, streams and wells around 
and within the stockade and hospital carefully analyzed. 

"Dian-hoea, dysentry, scurvy, and hospital gangrene were the 
diseases which have been the main cause of this extraordinary mor- 
tality. The origin and character of the hospital gangrene which pre- 
vailed to so remarkable a degree, and with such fatal effect amongst 
the Federal prisoners, engaged my most serious and earnest consider- 
ation. More than 30,000 men crowded upon twenty-seven acres of 
land, witn little or no shelter from the intense heat of a Southern 
summer, or from the rain and the dew of night, with coarse com bread 
from which the husk had not been removed, with but scant supplies 
of fresh meat and vegetables, with little or no attention to hygiene, 
with festering masses of filth at the very doors of their rude dens and 
tents, with the greater portion of the banks of the stream flowing 
through the stockade, a filthy quagmire of human excrements alive 
with working maggots, generated by their own filthy exhalations 
and excretions, an atmosphere that so deteriorated and contaminated 
their solids and fluids that the slightest scratch and even the bites of 
small insects were in some cases followed by such rapid and extensive 
gangrene as to destroy extremities and even life itself. 

"A large number of operations have been performed in the hos- 
pital on account of gangrene following slight injuries and abrasions 
of the surface. In almost every case of amputation for gangrene the 
disease returned, and a large proportion of the cases have terminated 
fatally." 

The Statistics which have been given and quoted so often 
since the close of the war with regard to deaths in Confederate 
prisons are not reliable. The original records of these prisons 
in the possession of the War Department are far from being 
complete. The War Department has never secured the " Death 
Registers" of the following well known places of confinement 
for large numbers of Union soldiers, viz: Americus, Atlanta, 
Augusta, Macon, Marietta and Savannah, Ga.; Camp Ford, 
Tyler, Texas; Charleston, S. C; Lynchburg, Va.; Mobile and 
Montgomery, Ala.; and other small prisons of the South. Only 
partial records of the prisons at Columbia and Florence, S. C, 
Millen, Ga., and Salisbury, N. C, are in the possession of the 
War Department. While the number of known deaths in the 



286 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Confederate prisons is increasing yearly, the death number will 
never be definitely known. 

From information contained in a Memorandum Circular 
issued by the Adjutant-General's office in Washington, under 
date of March 12th, 1908, the tables below given have been 
made. The number of Union soldiers who died in prison as 
given in one of these tables includes only the number actually 
known to have died in Confederate prisons. 

UNION SOLDIERS. 

Captured during the war 21 1,41 1 

Paroled on the field 16,668 

Died in captivity 30,218 

Joined in the Confederate service 3,161 

Escaped from prison 2,744 

CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS. 

■ Captured during the war 462,634 

Paroled on the field 247,769 

Died in captivity 25,976 

Joined the U. S. service 5,419 

Escaped from prison 1,938 

All medicines were made contraband of war. The Con- 
federate authorities tried to purchase from the North, and pay 
for in cash, certain medicines which they pledged should be used 
for the treatment of our sick and dying soldiers in their prisons, 
but our government would not consent. At he time small 
pox prevailed among the Union prisoners at Richmond, General 
Butler sent vaccine matter sufficient for six thousand vaccina- 
tions to the Confederate commissioner to be used for the benefit 
of our prisoners. 

In the spring of 1865, the Confederate government offered 
to surrender to us all our sick and disabled prisoners, without 
any compensation at all. After a long delay, as though the 
government grudgingly assumed the expense of bringing these 
Union invalids north and caring for them, nearly 13,000 were 
delivered by the Confederates at Savannah, without asking or 
receiving any soldiers in exchange. 

On the authority of General J. B. Imboden, and after 
Savannah had been captured by General Sherman, he oflFerea 
to send all of the prisoners confined at Andersonville and some 



PRISONERS OF WAR 287 

Other places, to Saint Augustine, Florida, without asking any 
thing in return therefor, and the Union officer in command at 
that place offered to receive them. After several thousand had 
been started and got into the State of Florida, this officer in- 
formed the Confederate authorities that he could not receive 
them without communication with General Grant, who was 
then at City Point. And, as short of transportation as the 
Southerners were, these men had to be hauled back to Anderson- 
ville. Whatever correspondence was carried on between these 
parties cannot be found in the War Records. 

No attempt is made here to palliate or excuse the brutal 
treatment of prisoners at Anderson ville. It was doubtless 
true that it was almost impossible to properly feed as many 
prisoners as were confined there. The resources, the supplies, 
the provisions and transportation facilities the South had, were 
getting mighty poor, in 1864 and 1865. If anything could 
have been more cruel than the treatment of our prisoners by 
the Confederates, it was the criminal neglect shown them by 
our own authorities. 

It is claimed by some that General Grant in refusing to ex- 
change prisoners was following the example of General Washing- 
ton, who refused to exchange British prisoners in the War of 
the Revolution for the prison ship martyrs confined in the 
prison hulks in New York Harbor. This is an unfair state- 
ment. It is true that the British authorities offered to make 
this exchange. Washington wrote to Congress that such an 
exchange "would immediately give the enemy considerable 
reinforcements and will be a constant draft hereafter upon the 
prisoners of war in our hands, while the exchange of American 
prisoners, being captured while engaged in private enterprises 
would return to their homes." Washington's words here 
quoted furnish a justification for his refusal. The privateers- 
man was neither a sailor nor soldier enlisted in the service of 
his country. He was engaged in a form of private war upon the 
enemy's commerce and one of his principal motives was usually 
financial profit. Privateering was then a legitimate form of 
warfare but has now become obsolete. Certainly, General 
Washington was under no obligation to give up British soldiers 



288 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

captured in battle for the private citizens held by the British 
government, who, if exchanged, would return to their homes 
or start out on another privateering expedition. 

The "rate of exchange," computed in prisoners, had been 
agreed upon, in the exchange ot prisoners it was not always 
possible to exchange man for man in the rank which the men 
occupied. If there was an excess of officers on one side it was 
made up by throwing in a few privates on the other. Two 
private soldiers would purchase a Sergeant, four, a Lieutenant 
and six, a Captain. It took eight privates to equal a Major, ten, 
a Lieutenant-Colonel, fifteen, a Colonel and twenty, a Brigadier- 
General. The writer has seen cases where the Government 
would be cheated by swapping a private for a Colonel, or even 
a Brigadier-General, man for man. 

From reports filed with the Confederate War Department 
it appears that there were the following number of prisoners at 
Andersonville at the dates given. 

June 1st, 1864 17415 

In hospital 1039 

Total 18454 

Died during month of May 1203 

July 1st, 25005 

In hospital 1362 

Total 26367 

Died during June 1742 

August 1st, 29985 

In hospital 1693 

Total 31678 

Died in July 2993 

Sept. 1st, 29473 

In hospital 2220 

Total 31693 

Oct. 1st, 6147 

In hospital 2071 

Total 8218 

Died during Sept 1560 

Nov. 1st 1729 

In hospital 2479 

Total 4208 

It would appear that on the ist of November practically 
all of the well prisoners had been removed from Andersonville, 



PRISONERS OF WAR 289 

Captain Wirz, then commanding the prison, reported that dur- 
ing the month of October twenty-eight had escaped from prison. 
The approach of General Sherman's army caused the large 
reduction in the number of prisoners confined at that place. 
There were more prisoners at Andersonville in the spring of 
1865, than in November 1864. 

The following is a list of the members of the Nineteenth 
Maine who died in Confederate prison. The name of two 
persons are included in this list who died immediately after their 
parole. The writer does not claim that this list is full or 
entirely accurate, but it is more nearly accurate than any list 
he has ever seen. It is unquestionably true that the names 
of some few persons belonging to the Nineteenth who died 
while in captivity will not be found here, 

NAMES OF SOLDIERS BELONGING TO THE NINETEENTH 

MAINE REGIMENT WHO DIED IN CONFEDERATE 

PRISONS. TOGETHER WITH THE NAME OF 

THE PRISON, WHEN KNOWN, AND 

DATE OF DEATH. 

Company A . 
William Crosby (4tli Me.), Andersonville, Sept. 12, '64; Charks 
E. Day, Libby Prison, Dec. 19, '64; Henry H. Fairbrother, reptd., 
died ^at Andersonville Sept. 28, '64; Henry Leavitt, Andersonville 
Nov. 1st, '64. 

Company B. 

Henry A. Dore (paroled prisoner), Annapolis, Nov. 25, '63 ; Thomas 
E. Snowdeal, (4tli Me.), name appears as F. Snowdale, Andersonville 
June 10th, '64. 

Company C . 

James H. Flanders, Prison imknown, Nov. 27th, '64. 

Company D. 
James O. Bean, Salisbury Prison, January 15, '65; Joseph E. 
Clark (4th Me., Prison records show L. Clark), Andersonville, Oct. 
2nd, '64; John Cook (4th Me., Prison records show James Cook), 
Andersonville, July 25th, '64; Oliver Cromwell (Prison records show 
W. H. Cromwell), Andersonville, Oct. 18, '64; Hiram B. Hoffses 
(Prison records show H. Hopes), Andersonville, December 27th, '64; 
John A. White (Reported on the muster roll as having died at Ander- 
sonville. Name not found on Andersonville records.), Oct. 1st, '64. 

Company E. 
John Carr, Andersonville, Sept. 15th, '64; John Foley, Anderson- 
ville, June 15tli, '64; William Jones, Andersonville, August 16th, '64; 
Samuel O. Pease, Andersonville Aug. 21, '64; Benjamin Roberts, 
Andersonville November 23rd, '64; Isaac L. Sanborn, Prison and 
date of death vmknown; Nathan S. Winslow (4th Me.), Anderson- 
ville, Aug. 13th, '64; Simon H. Willey, Andersonville, July 10th, '64. 



290 TNE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Company F. 
Justus C. Briggs, Anderson ville, Aug. Sth, '64; Nathaniel O. Gow- 
ell, (Name appears as N. Gowell, Company F, Nineteenth Michigan) 
Anderson ville, Jan. 11th, '65; Isaac Jordan, (4th Me.) , Anderson ville, 
Feb. 6th, '65; Hezekiah D. Morse, died at Camp Lawton prison, near 
Miller, Ga.; Leonard B. Ricker, Prison unknown, Nov. 5, '64; Patrick 
Sweeney, Andersonville, Aug. 27th, '64; James O. Stevans, Libby 
Prison, February 27th, '64. 

Company G. 
James Ballard (Prison records show J. Ballast), Andersonville 
Oct. 11th, ,64; James Hammond, Andersonville, Sept. 10th, '64; 
Alfred J. Marston, Andersonville, Sept. 00, '64; Albert Quimby (4th 
Me.). Prison and date of death unknown. 

Company H. 
Charles L. Bigelow, Andersonville, Sept. 3rd, '64; Mark G. Babb, 
Augusta Prison, Ga., July 12, '64; Charles Prescott, Andersonville, 
Jan. 7th, '65; Cyrus L. Ring (4th Me.), Salisbury Prison, Dec. 1st, '64; 
George L. Smith (paroled prisoner) , Annapolis, Oct. 28th, '64. 

Company I. 
Jolin Anderson, Andersonville, June 28th, '64; Leverett S. Boyn- 
ton (4th Me.), reptd, died Andersonville, but name does not appear 
on Andersonville list, died Nov. 27, '64; Augustus Burgin, Ander- 
sonville, Sept. 11th, '64; Jeremiah Kelley, (Name appears as 
J. Kellar) Oct. 28th, '64; Peter Larkin (Reptd. as having died at Ander- 
sonville, but name not found on Andersonville list) died Oct. 20th, '64; 
Westley Rich (4th Me.) Belle Isle, Nov. 18th, '64; Samuel D. Small 
(4th Me.) Belle Isle, Nov. 15th, '64; Corporal Warren B. Thorndyke, 
Andersonville, March 30th, '65; Philo F. Washburn, died in prison at 
Richmond, Va., Jan. 1st, '64. 

Company K. 
Reuben Gibbs, Andersonville, Jan. 23rd, '65; Corporal Nathaniel 
C. McFarland, Andersonville, Mar. 13th, '65; Henry Roberts, Ander- 
sonville, July 24th, '64. 

NAMES WHICH CANNOT BE INDETIFIED BUT FOUND ON 
ANDERSONVILLE LIST OF DEATHS. 

r Henninger, 19th Me., July 28th, '64; S. Snower, Co. A, 

19th Me., Sept. 28th, '64; F. St. Peter, Co. F. 19th Me., Oct. 27th, '64. 



THE APPOMATTOX CAMPAIGN 29I 



CHAPTER XVII. 



THE APPOMATTOX CAMPAIGN. 

At dawn, March the 25th, heavy firing was heard on our 
right, which proved to be an attack of the enemy on the Union 
lines at Fort Stedman. General Gordon, of the Confederate 
arrhy, with nearly one-half of Lee's troops in and around 
Petersburg, surprised and fell with overpowering force upon the 
Ninth Corps, capturing Fort Stedman and one or two of the 
neighboring redoubts. Gordon and his -men were at length 
driven back, losing nearly 4000 men in killed, wounded and 
prisoners. This was the last attempt of Lee to penetrate our 
works. General Humphreys, with our Corps, without waiting 
for orders, moved with great promptness toward the enemy's 
works. Our attack was made with such vigor that the in- 
trenched line of the Confederate pickets was captured and our 
forces pushed up to the main line of the Confederate works. At 
midnight the Regiment returned to the main line of works, but 
retained the captured works of the Confederate pickets. The 
enemy made repeated efforts to retake his old picket line, but 
was unsuccessful. The losses in the Brigade were very small. 
The Regiment returned to camp on the forenoon of the 26th, 
and remained there until the 29th of March. Herman L. Bray, 
Company E, is reported wounded on March 28th. 

The two opposing lines now confronting each other stretch- 
ed across the country for a distance of between thirty-five and 
forty miles. These lines began on the north, between the 
Chickahominy and James rivers, extended south across the 
peninsula between the James and Appomattox, thence southerly 
across the Appomattox to the south of Petersburg, and thence 
westerly to Hatcher's run. 

Early in the morning of March 29th, our Regiment started 
with the Corps for Hatcher's run, having been relieved the 



292 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

night before by a portion of Gibbon's Twenty-fourth Corps. 
This was the beginning of the last campaign of the Army of the 
Potomac. We crossed Hatcher's run at the Vaughn road and 
our Corps stretched from Hatcher's run in a westerly direction, 
the right of our Division resting on the run and connecting 
with the Third Division of our Corps on the left. The First 
Division of the Corps occupied the left. The left of our Corps 
connected with Warren's Fifth Corps at the Vaughn road 
crossing of Gravelly run. About one-third of each Division 
of the Second Corps was in reserve. 

On the morning of March 29th, General Grant orderec' 
Sheridan with his large Cavalry Corps to Dinwiddie Court 
House. Sheridan was reinforced by the Cavalry Division of 
Kautz, now commanded by that rising young Brigadier- 
General, R. S. MacKenzie. When the old Nineteenth was 
organized, General MacKenzie was a Second Lieutenant. He 
was made Brigadier-General, October 9th, 1864, and his rapid 
promotion was in every way deserved. Sheridan immediately 
began to move from Dinwiddie toward Five Forks with his 
powerful Cavalry force. Two entire Corps, the Second and 
Fifth, were sent across Hatcher's run to cooperate with Sheridan. 
Warren's Corps was on the left and next to Sheridan, but 
hardly within supporting distance, and Humphrey's Second 
Corps on Warren's right and reaching to Hatcher's run. 

It was not known whether Lee would strike Humphreys 
next to Hatcher's run, or go down the Boydton road and 
attack Warren, or take the White Oak road and move westerly 
from Burgess' mill to Five Forks and attack Sheridan. It will 
be remembered that the Regiment was nearest the White Oak 
road, when in the vicinity of Burgess' mill, at the time of the 
engagement on the Boydton road on October 27th. If General 
Lee intended to retain Petersburg or Richmond, be must 
necessarily attack this force now southwest of Hatcher's run, 
which was relentlessly pounding its way northwesterly toward 
the South Side railroad. General Lee determined to attack 
Warren and Sheridan. 

A downpour of rain set in early on March 30th and con- 
tinued for nearly forty-eight hours, flooding a great portion 



THE APPOMATTOX CAMPAIGN 293 

of that low, swampy country and rendering the roads nearly 
impassable for heavy trains and artillery. This necessary 
delay to the Union forces gave Lee the opportunity which he 
needed to get his forces massed in front of Warren and Sheridan. 

The Nineteenth reached Dabney's mill on the night of the 
29th. We will let Lieutenant-Colonel Spaulding describe the 
movement of the Regiment on this day after it had crossed 
Hatcher's run: 

"Colonel Starbird was directed to deploy one-half of his 
Regiment as skirmishers, using the remainder, together with the 
Fifty-ninth New York Volunteers and the One Hundred and 
Fifty-second New York Volunteers, who were ordered to report 
to him, as a support, and advance through the woods to find out 
who, if anybody, were out there. I was with the skirmishers. 
Hunters of big game in the backwoods can understand the 
nervous excitement which thrills one in advancing upon an 
enemy, whether a wild beast or an armed soldier, through thick 
woods where only occasional glimpses would enable you to see 
but a few rods in advance. Within the first mile we came to a 
line of rifle pits that marked the line of the enemy's pickets, 
who stole away at our approach, leaving their small fires burning 
and in some instances their food cooking thereon. Still our 
lines advanced, not rapidly but cautiously — very cautiously, 
every man for himself in a sense — on the alert and watchfuL 
I know not how long nor how far we thus advanced, but it was 
late in the afternoon, when the woods became more open, a 
longer view could be obtained, and at last through the openings 
we could see what looked like fresh earthworks of considerable 
magnitude. Then greater caution was observed — each skir- 
misher advanced from tree to tree — jumping, creeping, crawling 
— observing the general alignment, and at the same time keep- 
ing the keenest watch in front, till at last we reached the edge 
of an opening, near the centre of which there loomed up a huge 
pile of sawdust with one or two pieces of stove funnel mounted 
upon it and pointed in our direction. At this we all laughed. 
We had reached Dabney's mill. Soon the supporting lines 
appeared from out the woods, when the skirmish line was again 



294 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

pushed out a proper distance into the opposite woods and a 
halt was made for the night." 

In the official report of the movements of the Regiment on 
March 30th in the rain, Lieutenant-Colonel Spaulding states that 
five companies advanced as skirmishers and the remainder of the 
Regiment was in the line of battle. The skirmishers advanced 
until they met the enemy at Fort Powell and we were engaged 
during the day until four o'clock in the afternoon, when the 
skirmishers from the Regiment were relieved by the Thirty- 
sixth Wisconsin and rejoined the Regiment and Brigade at 
the Crow House. 

Colonel Olmsted, who was in command of our Brigade, 
states that on March 30th the Brigade with the rest of the 
Division advanced at seven o'clock in the morning and carried 
the enemy's works at Hatcher's run and at the Crow House. 
Our Brigade took its position on the left of the Second Brigade 
and relieved Pierce's Brigade of the Third Division. Colonel 
Olmsted states that he "threw out the Nineteenth Maine as 
skirmishers, supported by the One Hundred and Eighty-fourth 
Pennsylvania Volunteers and the Thirty-sixth Wisconsin 
Volunteers, to find out the position of the enemy's works in 
our front." At night the Regiment endeavored to strengthen 
its advanced position by throwing up earthworks. 

On the last day of March important events were taking 
place upon our left. The Confederate General Pickett, with 
a force of cavalry and infantry, met General Sheridan advancing 
from Dinwiddie Court House toward Five Forks. A desperate 
encounter took place between these forces, and General Sheri- 
dan's Cavalry was driven back in great confusion to the vicinity 
of Dinwiddie Court House. In the meantime General Warren 
was hurrying forward with the purpose of seizing the White 
Oak road and thus cutting off, with his Corps, the Confederates 
under Pickett from the rest of Lee's army. General Lee came 
down from Petersburg and in person directed the attack on 
Ayer's Division of Warren's Corps with four Brigades of Con- 
federate infantry. General Lee's attack was so vigorous and per- 
sistent that not only Ayer's Division, but also Crawford's Divis- 
ion of the same Corps, was driven back a considerable distance. 



THE APPOMATTOX CAMPAIGN 295 

General Humphreys, hearing the heavy firing that came from 
Warren's encounter, drew General Miles' Division of our Corps 
out of the line and hurried it to the relief of the Fifth Corps. 
This left our own Division and Mott's, confronting the Crow 
House redoubt and the Confederate intrenchment at Burgess' 
mill. In order to relieve the pressure on Warren and Sheridan, 
General Humphreys ordered our two remaining Divisions to 
attempt to take these works in our front. Lieutenant-Colonel 
Spaulding, in his report, states that the Regiment was deployed 
and advanced as skirmishers a little after noon and went up to 
"within short range of the enemy's works and engaged them 
during the day, taking a few prisoners." The attacks of our 
own and the Third Division on this day were not wholly suc- 
cessful, owing to the strong fortifications and the abattis formed 
in front of the Confederate intrenchments. The Confederates 
were prevented, however, from drawing troops away from our 
front to reinforce the columns fighting Warren and Sheridan. 

Privates Ithiel Pease, Company D, and John M. Knowl- 
ton, (4th Me.), Company I, were wounded March 31st. 
Several other members of the Regiment, of which the rolls 
furnish no information, were also slightly wounded on this 
day, but did not leave the Regiment. 

The reports of the Regiment covering the last campaign 
were written by Lieutenant-Colonel Spaulding, although 
Colonel Starbird was in command of the Regiment until April 
7th, Colonel Starbird was absent, wounded, at the time the 
reports were prepared. During the month of April the Regi- 
ment had present for duty from three hundred and fifty to 
three hundred and seventy-five men. 

In the early afternoon of April ist, the Regiment, with the 
rest of the Brigade, advanced a short distance and threw up a 
strong line of works, connecting with the Second Brigade of our 
Division on the right, and that Brigade connected with the 
Twenty-fourth Corps. Late at night a strong skirmish line was 
pushed out to the front with supports, and an unsuccessful 
attack made on the enemy's works. 

On the morning of April ist, General Warren was directed 
by General Meade to extend his left so as to form a junction 



296 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

with Sheridan, at whch time he was to report to Sheridan and be 
under his orders. It appears that General Sheridan preferred 
and requested some other Corps to cooperate with him not hav- 
ing, as he stated, the fullest confidence in General Warren. 
The latter officer reported to Sheridan about eleven o'clock in 
the forenoon, completely ignorant of his preference for another 
Q)rps. At one o'clock in the afternoon, Warren was ordered 
to bring up his infantry, and he himself rode up the Five Forks 
road in advance of the infantry to see Sheridan and to inform 
himself of the use to be made of his troops, so that no time 
would be lost on their arrival. 

It is not the purpose of the writer to enter into a discussion 
of the controversy waged between the friends of Sheridan and 
Warren over the battle of Five Forks. It is sufficient to state 
that at the very moment of victory at Five Forks, and after the 
Fifth Corps had captured over 2000 prisoners with their arms, 
eleven regimental colors and one four-gun battery, General 
Warren, once the illustrious commander of the Second Corps 
suffered the humiliation of being relieved from his command 
by General Sheridan. After fifteen years of earnest entreaty 
General Warren secured a Court of Inquiry, which convened 
in New York City in 1880. General Sheridan in his personal 
memoirs makes the following observation : 

"Briefly stated, in my report of the battle of Five Forks, there 
were four imputations concerning General Warren. The first implied 
that Warren failed to reach me on the 1st of April, when I had reason 
to expect him; the second, that the tactical handling of his Corps was 
tmskillful; the third, that he did not exert himself to get his Corps up 
to Gravelly Run Church; and the fourth, that when portions of his 
line gave way he did not exert himself to restore confidence to his 
troops. The Court found against him on the first and second counts, 
and for him on the third and fourth. 

Conceding everything that General Sheridan claims in this 
most unfortunate affair, it would not have subtracted from his 
well-earned fame if, after the passion of the hour had cooled and 
hewasLieutenant-General of the Army, he had taken the initia- 
tive in repairing, so far as he could, the injury done to General 
Warren. It seems, however, that he was not broad-minded 
enough to do this. General Sherman in reviewing the proceed- 
ings of the Court of Inquiry approves the finding of the Court, 



THE APPOMATTOX CAMPAIGN 297 

not SO much on the ground that Warren was culpable, as from 
the fact that the power to remove should be lodged in the Com- 
mander, who "must act on the impulse, the conviction of the 
instant." General Sherman adds: "No one has questioned the 
patriotism, integrity and great intelligence of General Warren. 
These are attested by a long record of most excellent service." 
As the lapse of time gives us a better perspective. General 
Warren, like General Thomas, has grown wonderfully in the 
grateful appreciation of the American people, since the close of 
that conflict in which he bore such an honorable part. 

An attack was made on the enemy's works all along the 
line on the 2nd of April. On this bright and clear Sunday 
morning the Regiment was astir and advancing. The Sixth 
and Ninth Corps had penetrated the enemy's lines in front of 
Petersburg and captured his outer works, together with many 
prisoners and guns, it was here that the Confederate General 
A. P. Hill was killed. The cheering that came along the line 
from the direction of Petersburg and the heavy firing in that 
direction indicated that something of importance was going on. 
The news was soon conveyed to the old Second Corps. General 
Hum.phreys now directed General Hays, commanding our 
Division, to assault the Crow House redoubt in the early morn- 
ing. This work was successfully performed by the Division, 
and the occupants of the redoubt were captured, together v*ith 
three pieces of artillery. The Regiment then moved by the left 
flank to the Boydton plank road and thence in a northerly 
direction across Hatcher's run at Burgess' mill. The Con- 
federate works here were unoccupied and the "Johnnies" were 
all on the run. Our march was practically unopposed during 
the day, and the Second and Third Divisions, under Hays and 
Mott, marched nearly fifteen miles in a northerly direction, 
leaving Petersburg on the right. Then we bore further to the 
west, crossing the railroad at Sutherland station. Here, 
skirmishers were thrown out in front, and we pushed on until 
we came across the skirmishers of the First Division that had 
been having severe fighting on the Claiborne road. General 
Miles however, had captured the most of them after a severe 
engagement. The Regiment encamped here for the night. On 



298 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

April 3rd we resumed the march down the Cox road and across 
to the Namozine road, and encamped for the night on the farm 
of Mrs. Burke, near Nintercomac creek. We knew on this day 
that Richmond and Petersburg had been evacuated and that the 
Army of Northern Virginia was endeavoring to get around 
General Meade's left flank, in precipitate retreat toward North 
Carolina. 

The men of the Regiment were buoyant and happy. 

We were off again early in the morning of April the 4th, 
with the Sixth Corps on our right and the Fifth on our left. 
There were heavy rains during the day, which greatly em- 
barrassed the trains and artillery. Corduroy roads were made 
in places for the benefit of the wagon trains and artillery. 
The Army of the James and the Ninth Corps were moving on 
parallel lines further to the south. Our course was nearly due 
west. The Confederate army was on the northern side of the 
Appomattox and we on the southern, and it was a race to see 
which should reach Amelia Court House first. On the after- 
noon of April 5th, the Second and Fifth Corps struck the 
Danville railroad at Jetersville, about half way between Amelia 
Court House and Burke's station, which is the junction of the 
Danville and the South Side railroads. We were now further 
west than the Confederate army, which was concentrated about 
Amelia Court House. Hoping to catch the Confederates, the 
Second, Fifth and Sixth Corps started early on the morning of 
April 6th, for Amelia Court House, the Second Corps 
holding the left of the line. We were then moving back in the 
direction of Richmond. In the meantime the Confederates 
started about as early as we did and passed around our left 
flank and pushed on for Rice's station on the South Side rail- 
road and some distance south of the Appomattox river. As 
soon as this movement of the enemy was discovered, the three 
Corps named changed the direction of their march'and took a 
westward course again. It now became a foot race between 
the Divisions of our Corps to see which could first strike the 
retreating enemy. On this day General Hays, who had been 
commanding our Division, was relieved by General Smyth, and 
later in the day General Barlow returned to the Second Corps 



THE APPOMATTOX CAMPAIGN 299 

and was assigned to the command of our Division. General 
Barlow was always liked by the troops he commanded. He 
was cool and appeared to be absolutely without fear in battle. 
He continued in the command of our Division until the sur- 
render of Lee's army. 

Our Brigade advanced in line of battle the greater part of 
the 6th. The rear of the Confederate force was constantly 
firing upon us, and our skirmishers were pressing them in every 
direction. General Sheridan was harrassing them from the 
south. The road was strewn with abandoned wagons, guns, 
blankets and equipments of all kinds. Sometimes we were 
marching on roads parallel to, and in sight of, the Confederates, 
and it seemed to be a neck-and-neck race until nearly night. 
The Second Corps captured on this day 1700 prisoners, four 
guns, and some three or four hundred loaded wagons and 
ambulances. Sometimes the artillery of the Corps was on the 
skirmish line. 1 1 was an exciting day. General Mott, the brave 
commander of the Third Division, was severely wounded. 
General De Trobriand succeeded Mott in command of the 
Division. This day we had been fighting General Gordon's 
Corps. 

The Sixth Corps and the Cavalry Divisions of Crook and 
Merritt broke in upon and nearly annihilated the Corps of 
Ewell and Anderson, taking many prisoners and six general 
officers, among whom was General Ewell. 

Lieutenant-Colonel Spaulding makes the following con- 
tribution to this day's history: 

"I remember, as we were advancing in line through a beautiful 
stretch of woods, a solitary horseman was seen approaching at great 
speed along a wood road from the enemy's direction. He came directly 
toward me, and I saw that he was dressed in the natty gray uniform 
of a Southern Lieutenant. His flushed countenance evinced great 
excitement, and the foam on his horse showed the speed at which he 
had ridden. A raised pistol and command to halt brought him to a 
momentary stop when he exclaimed: 'For God's sake, do not delay 
me. What direction will take me quickest to the General?' I pointed 
down the road, and away he flew amid the shouts and cheers of our 
men. He was one of the Union daredevil scouts and spies, bringing 
in important information." 

April 7th was historic for the Nineteenth Maine. The 
Regiment on this day was to perform great service for the 



300 Tfi'E NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Union cause. In General Barlow's oificial report he makes the 
following allusion to our service: 

"On the morning of April 7th, we continued the pursuit of the 
enemy, moving on the right of the First Division and the main road. 
During the morning, learning that it was the intention of the Corps' 
commander to pass over Hi':^h Bridge, I sent the Nineteenth Regiment 
Maine Volunteers (of the First Brigade) to secure the bridge. After 
considerable skirmishing this Regitnent drove away the enemy and 
secured the crossing, and extinguished the fire on the small dirt-road 
bridge. They were unable to extinguish the fire on the railroad bridge, 
three spans of which were destroyed before the Division pioneers 
could cut away the burning part. During the skirmishing, Colonel 
Starbird, commanding the Nineteenth Maine Volunteers, a gallant 
officer, was dangerously wounded." 

Colonel Olmsted, the commander of our Brigade, in his 
official report, states that on the morning in question he ad- 
vanced with his brigade marching in column until he arrived 
near High Bridge. Upon discovering the situation "reported 
to General Barlow that a rebel wagon train was in sight, and 
was ordered to advance a regiment as skirmishers to take a 
supposed work of the enemy near the southwest of High 
Bridge." Colonel Olmsted's report continues: " I deployed the 
Nineteenth Maine. They advanced, and afterward moved to 
the right and saved the High Bridge and also a smaller bridge 
for crossing below." 

The following account of this important engagement and 
what the old Regiment accomplished was written by Brevet 
Brigadier-General Olmsted in 1892: 

"On the morning of the 7th of April the Second and Third Brig- 
ades were ordered on the march, and the First Brigade of the Second 
Division was, for some reason never known to me, held in position 
near the headquarters of General William Hays, commanding the 
Second Division. Shortly after the departure of the Second and Third 
Brigades of the Second Division, Major-General F. C. Barlow rode to 
my headquarters and wanted to know why I had not moved out. I 
told him I had not been ordered to do so. He inquired where General 
Hays' headquarters were, and I pointed them out to him, and on his 
invitation rode with him to General Hays, where he (General Barlow) 
announced his succession to the command of the Second Division, 
Second Corps. He then rode down with me, placing me in position 
to move down a road 1000 yards, and then to change direction and 
move through a woods primeval due west, and to take my course by 
compass. Arriving at the position indicated, I changed direction 
westward and moved through this piece of woods, and I verily believe 
no one ever before marched or went through them. Finally we came 
out in an open country, and in our front, about one mile distant, saw 



THE APPOMATTOX CAMPAIGN 3OI 

a fort, line of works, and a rebel train moving. Knowin?; we were 
close upon the heels of Lee's army, and receiving information from 
deserting Confederates that the troops were Lee's rear-guard, and 
that the line of works was the last stand made by Lee to cover the 
crossing of his army, and that there was a foot-bridge, over which 
Lee's army had crossed, and that it was the intention of the Confed- 
erates to fire this bridge and an elegant railroad bridge a short distance 
apart, I ordered Colonel Isaac W. Starbird, with his regiment, the 
Nineteenth Maine, to capture the first line of earthworks and secure 
the bridge at all hazards. 

"The wagon-road bridge referred to was reported by prisoners 
to be the only crossing available for a long distance. . Appreciating 
this, I detailed Colonel Starbird for this important task. There were 
no other Union troops in sight at this time. Colonel Starbird ad- 
vanced rapidly with the Nineteenth Maine, securing the works and 
prisoners, from whom he learned where the foot or common road bridge 
was; the fort and line of works weie on the brow of a hill on the south 
side of the Appomattox river. 

"Colonel Starbird, having captured the line of works, was directed 
to find the bridge and prevent the enemy from burning it. Pressing 
a prisoner into service, with a pistol at the head of the Confederate, 
he moved rapidly toward the river, discovering the railroad bridge 
on fire — that is, the span of the bridge nearest the Confederate side of 
the river — and also the common wagon-road bridge a few hundred 
yards to the right of the railroad bridge, in flames. The railroad bridge 
was some sixty feet high, a beautiful structure, extending from bluflE 
to bluff over the river. The common wagon-road bridge extended 
over the narrow but unfordable rivei. The importance of saving the 
common wagon-road bridge was at once appreciated by Colonel Star- 
bird. He directed his regiment to center all efforts to save this bridge 
for the passage of troops, as the railroad bridge was of no consequence 
at this time, as it could not be utilized for the immediate passage of 
troops, artillery, etc. The river could not be forded, and as the rebels 
could be plainly seen on the opposite bluff, it was of incalculable im- 
portance that a means of crossing the river should be secured for our 
pursuing Corps. The small common wagon-road bridge must be 
saved. This Colonel Starbird proceeded to do with his noble Nine- 
teenth Maine, and with a whoop and a run, every man recognizing 
how much depended on his personal exertion, rushed down the 
bank to the bridge and put out the fire with water that was in their 
canteens, together with boxes, dippers and tents, left by the rebels 
in their retreat, carried water from the river and extinguished the fire, 
saving the bridge in a condition to admit of the passage of troops." 

"The First Brigade of the Second Division, Second Corps, was in 
the advance of Barlow's Division of the Second Corps, and tne Nine- 
teenth Maine was in the advance of the Brigade to which it belonged, 
and saved this bridge, and is entitled to all the credit for doing it. No 
other troops were there to aid them; and they are further to be cred- 
ited for their pluck and good staying qualities. If the Regiment had 
not been so prompt or had not done its work so effectually, General 
Lee might not have surrendered as soon as he did, and might have 
reached Lyncnburg and given us much more hard fighting to do." 

This was the last battle of the Regiment. Inasmuch as 
Lieutenant-Colonel Spaulding's official report, written in the 



302 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

hurry of the closing days of the war, was very brief, a more ex- 
tended and interesting account, written by that officer subse- 
quent to the war, is here inserted: 

"The next morning, Friday, April 7th, at 5:30 a. m., our Corps 
advanced in three columns, General Miles' First Division having the 
road; Barlow's Second Division, to which we belonged, one thousand 
yards to the right of the road, and De Trobriand's Third Division, one 
thousand yards to the left of the road. The march in the early hours 
was through woods — it was a bright beautiful day — the birds were 
singing in the trees — the newly-born leaves and blades were fresh and 
fair to look upon. The troops were in exuberant spirits. It came 
the turn of our Brigade to have the lead in our Division that day, and 
the Nineteenth Maine had the lead in our Brigade and thereby we 
headed the right column. About ten o'clock in the forenoon we were 
halted for a moment, as we approached the edge of tne woods with 
green fields and pastures in front of us, and we saw in our immediate 
front a long, high hill with sloping sides and earthworks on the top. 

"General Humpnreys, the Corps commander, and General Barlow, 
the Division commander, together at our head, scanned the situation 
for a short time and then gave the order for the Nineteenth to deploy 
as skirmishers and advance up the hill. The movement quickly com- 
menced, and the Corps and Division commanders, brave and gallant 
men they were, went up the hill with the skirmishers. True, the 
advance was unopposed, but no one knew what was on the hill, and 
it required the coolest sort of courage to find out. On reaching the 
top, a broad view opened up before us. We were at High Bridge. A 
steep bank extended down on the other side of the hill to the Appo- 
mattox river, not over a hundred feet in width, running full to its 
banks. On the opposite side of the river was a broad intervale, then 
only two or three feet above the surface of the water in the river, and 
beyond a hill of the same elevation as that upon which we stood. The 
railroad, wnich we struck here, crossed the river by a high bridge run- 
ning from hill to hill at the narrowest part of the valley. It had 
twenty-one spans of a hundred feet each, we were told, and three of 
the spans at the further end were on fire and one or more had already 
fallen. 

"A few rods below the railroad bridge was a low travelled bridge 
for the dirt-road, and that, too, was all on fire with a few of the enemy 
still encouraging the fire. 

"On the opposite hill, in full view, was General Mahone's Division 
of the rebel army, and they were just forming to continue their retreat. 
"The river was not fordable, and yet the Second Corps must 
cross at just that point. The bridge must be saved — so said General 
Humphreys. Our boys scampered down the steep bank to the burn- 
ing bridge, driving away the rebels; three companies were rushed 
across to form a line of skirmishers on the other side, the line forming 
a semi-circle with the two ends resting on the river. The remainder 
of the Regiment spread over the bridge and with their dippers, caps 
and hats — anything that would hold water which they could dip from 
the river, so low was the bridge and so high the water, to put out the 
fire, and the bridge was saved. Then the Regiment formed in single 
rank along the river's edge, extending from the bridge on either hand 
as far as possible, with one or two companies at our end of the bridge. 

""The enemy, discovering our movement and seeing what an in- 
significant force we had, sent back a brigade to complete the destruc- 



THE APPOMATTOX CAMPAIGN 



303 



tion of their bridge. Their movement commenced as soon as ours, 
but they were obHged to make something of a detour to our right, so 
that our men were all in position and the fire extinguished before 
their lines were within comfortable range. At that time I had a 
nervous mare which had been twice wounded and had learned to de- 
tect the sound of zipping bullets, so she acted in an engagement just 
as I felt; but she had the advantage of me in not having the fear of 
a court martial before her eyes — and she just had to go to the rear — 
there I sent her that morning as soon as the enemy started for us. 
We could see them advancing every step of the way. We could see 
they were ten to our one. But Humphreys said the bridge must be 
saved, and there was nobody else there but ourselves to save it. 

"I had been with the three Companies as skirmishers under in- 
structions to place them in the best position and report at the bridge 
that I had done so, for low bushes in places on the level ground ob- 
structed the view. I had just reported to Colonel Starbird, who sat 
upon his horse on the bridge, where bullets were constantly singing, 
when he directed that I give the skirmishers instructions to retire 
stubbornly before the enemy, but at the same time quickly enough 
at the last to recross the bridge to the Regiment in line on the other 
side of the river. I quickly responded that I had given those instruc- 
tions to each Company commander, when Starbird fell from his horse 
into my arms with such a painful wound from a bullet which he still 
carries in his person, that we all thought it meant his death. He was 
quickly taken to the rear. His bravery and gallantry in action was 
ever conspicuous, drawing the attention of his own men and of his 
superiors, and never more so than at that High Bridge fight. 

"At his fall every officer and man felt an added responsibility 
resting upon him personally. We all knew the position must be held 
at all hazards, and we could all see the force pouncing upon us. The 
skirmishers held out so stubbornly that two of the companies were 
unable to recross the bridge. They were ordered by motion of the 
hand to flatten themselves upon the ground so that all the Regiment 
could engage in the contest without endangering our own men. 

"Then such a fight, for a little one, as followed had rarely been 
witnessed. The usual and ordinary commands of 'Lively now,' 
'Keep cool,' 'Don't get excited,' 'Fire low,' 'Take aim,' 'Lively,' and 
so on, were not heard and were not needed. Every man was exerting 
himself to the utmost without the least indication of any undue excite- 
ment, and taking deliberate aim when he fired. Shortly many of the 
officers were supplied with arms by the muskets of the wounded. The 
enemy would falter for a minute, then move on again, then stop for 
a time, and all the time they were loading and firing. Though their 
bullets greatly outnumbered ours, they apparently were not doing 
as much execution. Still they felt that the bridge must be reached 
and destroyed, and were clearly amazed that such a small handful! 
of men were holding them back. They pressed on and on, the distance 
between them and the bridge growing continually less and less. Just 
when it seemed that, in spite of all we could do, they would reach the 
bridge and it would come to the bayonet, where numbers would count 
to still greater advantage in their favor, a shout was heard by us com- 
ing from the rear, and turning our heads for a moment we beheld the 
Second Brigade of our Division, descending the bank behind us on the 
double quick, and the gallant General Smyth at their head — his sword 
in one hand and broad-brimmed hat in the other, shouting 'Come on! 
Come on!' 



304 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

"Oh God! how our hearts throbbed with joy at the sight of those 
noble men, led by one who we all knew well and loved for his great 
gallantry and bravery in action. 

"It took but a few moments for the head of their column to reach 
the bridge. In the meantime our own boys in line to the right and 
left of the bridge without order were also rushing for the bridge — the 
Company at the end of the bridge, by command of its Captain (Lewis), 
rushing across in advance of General Smyth, the two Companies 
already over there joining in the melee ; all others as fast as they reached 
the bridge joining the columns of our rescuers in rushing the bridge, 
spreading out like a fan upon the level ground at the other end, all 
in the midst of the most spirited musketry, and when the greater part 
of the Brigade was over, our lines just blew over that intervale like a 
whirlwind, and I think not one of those 'Johnnies' escaped capture. 

"Very soon, and before we had our men all assembled, General 
Hunnphreys rode along and, noticing us, he stopped his horse, and 
said, 'I have just left Colonel Starbird in the little house on the hill. 
He was dying when I left. You have done enough for one day, you 
boys of the Nineteenth Maine — rest here as long as you please, then 
follow on.' 

"The gallant Smyth, who came to our rescue, later that day again 
charged the enemy, and in the midst fell from his horse with a bullet 
through the very centre of his forehead. 

"I never recall this hero of that great war without bringing to 
mind an incident which occurred at our Division headquarters a month 
or two earlier, when General Smyth was in command of the Division. 
On a Sunday afternoon our Brigade commander had been holding a 
Brigade dress parade, and after it was over he invited the field officers 
to go with him to Division headquarters to call upon General Smyth. 
While there, some of Smyth's staff returned from a visit up towards 
the right of our lines before Petersburg and brought the news that peace 
commissioners had come into our lines that day. Immediately con- 
versation turned upon the prospect of peace. Many thought we should 
see no more fighting, when General Smyth said: 'I don't know, boys; 
I think some of us here will yet have a chance to claim six feet of Vir- 
ginia soil.' Then turning to Colonel Stover, of the One Hundred and 
Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania, he said, referring to the custom of nam- 
ing forts after some officer who had fallen in that immediate vicinity 
'Stover, how would you like to have a fort over here named after you. 
"Fort Stover," that would sound pretty well.' The Colonel, strok- 
ing his beard, replied: 'Well General, if I had my choice about the 
matter, I think I would prefer to have a nice, healthy male child 
named after me.' General Smyth was the only officer in that meet- 
ing who afterwards lost his life in battle." 

In his report, General Meade made the following statement: 

"The Second Corps resumed the direct pursuit of the enemy, 
coming up with him at High Bridge over the Appomattox. Here 
the enemy made a feeble stand with his rear guard, attempting to burn 
the railroad and common bridge. Being driven off by Humphreys. 
he succeeded in burning three spans of the railroad bridge, but the 
common bridge was saved, which Humphreys immediately crossed 
in pursuit, the enemy abandoning eighteen guns at this point." 

General Humphreys, commanding the Corps, said: 



THE APPOMATTOX CAMPAIGN 3O5 

"Learning subsequently from the people of the country that the 
main body of troops had gone to High Bridge, I immediately crossed 
over to it. This brought General Barlow to the bridge a short time 
in advance of the First Division. Here he overtook the rear of the 
enemy just as they had fired the wagon-road bridge and as the second 
span of the railroad bridge was burning. The wagon-road bridge 
was secured, a matter of importance, as the Appomattox was not 
fordable. A considerable force of the enemy was drawn up in a strong 
position on the heights of the opposite bank to oppose our passage, a 
position the strength of which the redoubts on the opposite side increased. 
Their skirmishers attempted to hold the bridge, but were quickly 
driven from it, and the troops crossed over, General Barlow's Division 
leading. Artillery was rapidly put in position to cover our attack, 
but the enemy moved off without waiting for it. The redoubt form- 
ing the bridge head on the south bank was blown up as we approached , 
and eight pieces of artillery in it abandoned to us, as were ten pieces 
in the works on the north side of the Appomattox." 

General Humphreys, in his history of the Virginia Cam- 
paign of 1864 and 1S65, places great importance on the fact 
that the Second Corps was able to cross the Appomattox on the 
7th of April. If Lee had not been detained there, and at Farm- 
ville, he could have reached Appomattox station easily on 
April the 8th and Lynchburg on the 9th of April. The delay 
was fatal to the Confederate cause. It gave to Sheridan and 
Ord the opportunity to place themselves across Lee's path at 
Appomattox Court House. It was the railroad bridge that 
was called High Bridge because it was built upon piers some 
sixty feet high, across the narrow river. 

This was the last engagement in which the Nineteenth 
Maine ever participated. 

LIST OF WOUNDED AT HIGH BRIDGE, 

April 7, 1865. 

Colonel Isaac W. Starbird (seriously); First Leiutenant 
Charles P. Garland, Company H; Barak A. Hatch, Company D; 
Samuel Bassett, Company E, and Edward P. White, Com- 
pany F. 

There were some others slightly wounded but in the ex- 
citement and confusion of the closing days of the campaign, 
their names were not reported. 

The Second Corps pursued the enemy along the north bank 
of the river during the 8th. The Sixth Corps kept along with 
the Second on the 8th, and both Grant and Meade accompanied 



3o6 



THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 



these Corps. It was a very hard march for the Regiment, and 
many fell out exhausted during the day. They came up, how- 
ever, during the night, but some of them did not reach the 
Regiment until nearly dayligtit. Let us ask Colonel Spaulding 
to describe the memorable events of that last day's campaigning 
of the old Regiment: 

"The next day — Stinday, April 9th — will ever mark a great epocn 
in the history of our country. Our march began at about eight o'clock 
in the morning and was not more than five or six miles over a rough 
road and much of the way through woods. On the march events 
occurred which we never had witnessed in all our experience. As we 
trudged along, we heard the sound of a bugle in the rear continually 
growing nearer, and we found, as it approached, it was the signal for 
the marching column to clear the road; and then came a large caval- 
cade of horsemen with that great General Ulysses S. Grant, at their 
head, proceeding with his staff and guard at a very rapid pace to the 
front. We all cheered — everybody yelled. We believed it a happy 
and significant omen when it appeared of more importance for the 
Commanding General to have the right-of-way to the front over the 
man behind the gun. 

"Shortly after a second bugle sounded, and again we cleared the 
road, when General Meade, sick and obliged to ride in an ambulance 
as he was, with his large mounted staff and guard, passed rapidly to 
the front. Again, we cheered. 

"Later our road cleared the woods, and at a little house on a hill 
we discovered the flag of army headquarters, and we were massed in 
brigade lines in the field on the opposite side of the road. Our lines 
were at right angles with the road, and not more than two rods apart. 

"Other troops, with artillery and cavalry, were massed in like 
manner on the other side of the road, just ahead of us, and concealed 
from our view by a belt of pine woods. 

"As far back as we could see from the high ground on which we 
stood, troops were continually arriving and being massed in like man- 
ner. Arms were stacked and no officer or man was allowed to leave 
his company or regiment. 

"It was a bright, beautiful Sabbath day; the men were in the very 
best of spirits. We believed we were facing either a great and im- 
portant general battle, or that the end had come. You must remember 
that we had not heard and knew nothing of the correspondence that 
had already taken place between General Grant and General Lee. 

"Every man and every Company was discussing the probabilities. 
Every possible theory had its advocates; but everybody hoped it 
meant the end of the war. How we did long for peace! The hours 
of suspense and anxiety marched with slow and measured steps. At 
last, between four and five o'clock in the afternoon, we heard tremend- 
ous cheering from the troops on the other side of the pines. Each 
regiment fell into line behind its guns as the best way for everybody 
to discover the cause, and shortly through the woods, came General 
Meade at the head of his staff, riding at a very rapid speed, and as he 
reached us, he turned into the field and rode along the whole length 
of our brigade line, then back in front of the next brigade line, and so 
he went back and forth, giving the news to each regiment with his own 
mouth, as with bared head, his horse travelling for all his worth, that 




Colonel and Brevet Brigadier-General Isaac W. S::arbird. 



THE APPOMATTOX CAMPAIGN 307 

sedate, dignified, ministerial looking officer, paler that day than usual 
because of sickness, was crying out like a boy : 

" 'Peace, boys, peace! Lee has surrendered! Peace, boys, peace!' 

"And so he rode proclaiming the great news. 

"Then such a scene as followed! Such rejoicing! Such cheering ! 
The sun itself was almost obscured with hats, coats, blankets, haver- 
sacks, tossed high in air. Everything went up; even some of the small 
men on the left were tossed above our heads, cheering meanwhile. 
Tongue nor pen cannot begin to describe nor imagination depict that 
scene. No commissary was there, but men were drunk, drunk, fro:Ti 
the effervescence of their own exuberance. It was the most contagious 
sort of inebriation — without respect to rank or condition — all were 
its victims — all were overwhelmed. 

"Before taps we were talking of home and how rejoiced would be 
the loved ones there when the news reached them." 

None of the troops of the Second or Sixth Corps got any 
nearer to Appomattox Court House than New Hope or Wolf 
Creek church. The Second and Sixth had united at New Store 
on the preceeding day, and had marched on the same road 
during the 9th, the Second Corps ahead and following closely 
the Confederate infantry. The Fifth Corps had passed to the 
south of the Appomattox, near Farmville, and was following 
the cavalry in their successful effort to get in ahead of Lee at 
Appomattox station. After the correspondence between Grant 
and Lee had begun, relative to the surrender, General Hum- 
phreys was notified by General Grant that this correspondence 
was in no way to interfere with his movements. Humphreys, 
therefore, pushed ahead with vigor, crowding Longstreet's 
Corps, the rear of which was not more than a hundred yards 
from the leading troops of the Second Corps. One of General 
Lee's staiT officers, with a flag of truce, came into our lines and 
urged Humphreys not to press Longstreet, as negotiations were 
going on for a surrender. General Humphreys sent word that 
the request could not be complied with, and that Longstreet 
must get out of the way or take the consequences. About 
eleven o'clock in the forenoon, and after advancing about half 
a mile further, our Corps again reached the vicinity of Long- 
street's command, and here the Confederates had thrown up 
some intrenchments. General Humphreys formed his own 
Corps at once for an attack, the Sixth Corps being on our right, 
and just at the moment when the Union lines were about to 
charge the Confederates, General Meade ordered a cessation of 
hostilities. 



303 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

According to the records of the War Department, the 
number of officers and enUsted men of the Army of Northern 
Virginia paroled on April 9th was 28,356. Not more than one- 
third of this number had arms at the time of the surrender. 
Those who had no arms must have thrown them away or 
secreted them when they found that they must surrender. 
The country was open to the Confederates on the west and 
northwest and thickly wooded. 



JOYFUL RETURN HOME 309 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



JOYFUL RETURN HOME. 

When the news of the surrender of Lee's army reached 
the Union lines, some of our troops on the left began firing a 
salute in honor of the victory. General Grant, however, had 
it stopped at once. Rations were issued by General Meade to 
the hungry Confederate troops. The men were kept within 
close limits after the surrender. The boys of the Regiment 
were not permitted to look into the faces of the brave men who 
had been overcome and compelled to surrender. 

Of the three hundred fighting regiments, so-called, from 
having lost in battle upwards of 130 men, in killed and mortally 
wounded, Maine furnished thirteen regiments. Of course the 
Nineteenth Maine is found in this list. Excluding the First 
Maine Heavy Artillery, a very large regiment, having a total 
enrollment of upwards of 2,200, the Nineteenth stands second 
in extent of losses in that list of thirteen regiments. Its 
killed and mortally wounded actually numbered 200. An 
unaccountable fact in connection with the history cf the 
Regiment is that only three commissioned officers were killed 
or mortally wounded. The men who carried rifles in this 
Regiment would contend that after the beginning of 1864 
no regiment from Maine had better commissioned officers than 
the old Nineteenth. Some of the officers who left the service in 
'62 and '63 did not remain long enough with the Regiment to 
show whether they would make good officers or not. Others 
were driven from the service by disease. Still others left the 
service and, by leaving, did the service more good than they 
would have done by remaining. 

The loss of the Sixteenth Maine in commissioned officers, 
either killed or mortally wounded, was nine. The Sixth Maine 
lost twelve and the Twentieth Maine, nine. The Thirty-first 



310 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

Maine Regiment, which was organized in March and April '64, 
lost eighteen commissioned officers during its term of service. 
The greater portion of its loss occurred in the first three months 
of its service. The First Maine Cavalry and the Seventh 
Maine Infantry each suflFered a loss of fifteen commissioned 
officers, and the First Maine Heavy Artillery, twelve com- 
panies, in ten months lost twenty-three commissioned officers 
in killed and mortally wounded. 

The men remained resting all day on the loth, and left 
their camp in the late forenoon of April nth, for the return 
march. We reached New Store and encamped the night of the 
1 1 th, neary on the ground we had marched over in our advance. 
We left camp in the early morning of the 12th and marched to 
Curdsville, crossed the Little Willis river, passing through 
Farmville, and encamped for the night near Bush river. The 
Corps arrived at Burkeville Junction on April 13th, where we 
encamped and rested during the remainder of the month. The 
Corps went into camp in the angle formed by the Lynchburg 
railroad and the railroad leading to Danville. The Third 
Division camp was near the Lynchburg road; the First, near 
the Danville road, while our own Division occupied the space 
between. The men here were quartered in shelter-tents, 
generally raised from the earth on uprights. The ground on 
which we were encamped was somewhat moist. Good water 
was very scarce and many wells were dug to obtain a better 
su;p y. A number of men from our Division were taken sick 
while here, resulting probably from the fatigues of the recent 
hard service and the bad water they were compelled to drink. 
There was entire lack of vegetables in the rations issued, and 
the men did not feel so much like stealing now that Lee's 
Army had surrendered. 

We remained near Burkeville Junction without picket or 
guard duty, except one sentinel at Regimental headquarters, as 
orderly. After every one had turned in for the night on Satur- 
day, the 15th of April, a solitary horseman was heard rapidly 
approaching, who turned out to be a mounted orderly with 
orders. When a candle was lighted and a glance at the first 
paper was had, Lieutenant-Colonel Spaulding exclaimed, "My 




Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph W. Spaulding. 1905. 



JOYFUL RETURN HOME 311 

God! President Lincoln has been assassinated." Instantly the 
camp was alive, the men were upon their feet, and the cry for 
revenge was heard on every side. No one could understand 
just what it meant. Every man was ready for any duty. 
Orders immediately came for a detail for picket and for a strong 
camp guard to be established. There was little sleep that night 
for any one. 

The funeral of President Lincoln occurred on Wednesday, 
the 19th, and on that day the Brigade was assembled and 
listened to an eloquent tribute to the memory of the great 
President, delivered by Colonel Stover, of the One Hundred 
and Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania. The Regiment remained 
here quietly in camp until the forenoon of Tuesday, May 2nd, 
when the homeward march was again resumed. The night of 
May 2nd found us near Jetersville, the march having been along 
the Danville railroad. Here was the forty-fifth mile post from 
Richmond. On May 3rd, the Corps marched through Amelia 
Court House and crossed the Appomattox at Goode's Bridge. 
On May 4, the Regiment tramped about twenty miles to Two- 
mile Creek, five miles from Richmond. Early the next morn- 
ing, the march was continued to Manchester and we went into 
camp, within one-half mile of Richmond, and had our first 
view of that noted place. Our camp was on the high bank of 
the river opposite the city. Here our Corps was joined by the 
Fifth, which had come through Petersburg. On May 6th, just 
one year after the bloody Wilderness, the Second and Fifth 
Corps marched through Richmond. Nearly all day long the 
line was passing through the streets in sight of Libby, where 
so many of our boys had died, along by the public buildings, 
through the aristocratic portion of the city, and out into the 
country. Our Corps marched on the Brook road to Brook 
creek, where we camped for the night, about five miles from 
Richmond. Early Sunday morning, May 7th, we were off again 
and marched to Yellow Tavern, where General Jeb Stuart, the 
splendid Confederate cavalry leader, was mortally wounded 
May iith, 1864. We crossed the Chickahominy at Winston's 
bridge and marched through Hanover Court House to Little- 
page's bridge over the Pamunkey river. This was a comfort- 



312 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

able march of fifteen miles, through a beautiful country, with 
plenty of good water and everybody in excellent spirits. It 
was noted by every one how much easier and more agreeable 
the march was north, in May, 1865, than south, in May, 1864. 
The next day. May 8th, was hot and dusty, and there was much 
straggling in our march of eighteen miles. This day's tramp 
took us past Concord church, Chesterfield station and Mt. 
Carmel church, to the vicinity of Golansville. On Tuesday, 
May the 9th, we marched north on the Telegraph road, over 
which Lee's Army marched south, after the battle of Spottsyl- 
vania, to the vicinity of Massaponax church. The Regiment 
was encamped near this place on May 20th, 1864. This day's 
march of seventeen miles was in the rain. We marched, May 
loth, through Fredericksburg in the afternoon, crossed the 
Rappahannock, and stopped for the night on the old camp 
ground near Falmouth. It was not the camp ground on the 
hill where the first winter was passed, but the later one, where 
we pitched horse shoes as quoits, during the mild and balmy 
spring of 1863. This day's march was about twelve miles. 
Two years' time had wrought great changes in the country. 
Nature had already commenced the work of restoring and 
covering up the devastations of an invading army. A young 
growth of vigorous trees had begun to obliterate the evidences 
of our former visit. 

On Thursday, May i ith, our march was by Old Tavern to 
the vicinity of Middle run. It rained all the afternoon and 
nearly all night. It was a pleasant day on the march the 12th, 
and we made about fourteen miles, going into camp near Wolf 
Run shoals on Occoquan creek, where we drew rations and 
enjoyed a good night's rest. On Saturday, May 13th, the 
Regiment started early and marched thirteen miles, halting 
for the night at Burke's station, some twelve miles from Wash- 
ington. Here the Regiment remained over Sunday, and on the 
15th of May marched to Bailey's crossroads. This was our last 
camping ground as a part of the Army of the Potomac. 

Orders were received on May i8th to prepare muster out 
rolls of the Regiment. The Regiment participated in the 
grand review of the Army of the Potomac in Washington, by 



JOYFUL RETURN HOME 313 

the President, on Tuesday, May 26th. For the last time, the 
Nineteenth appeared in Brigade dress parade, on Sunday, May 
28th, and on May 30th, in a review of the Second Corps. 

The Regiment was mustered out of the United States ser- 
vice on May 3 1 st, by Captain H. Y. Russell. The veterans and 
recruits were transferred to the First Maine Heavy Artillery, 
which last named regiment, together with the men transferred 
from ours, was mustered out of service on the nth of the 
following September. 

On the morning of June ist, 1865, at sunrise, the Regiment 
started for home. The whole Brigade turned out in line to 
give us a parting cheer and a last salutation. 

A special train took us from Washington to Baltimore, 
where we transferred to another train, and reached Phila- 
delphia at midnight. Here we found a warm supper awaiting 
us at the blessed old Cooper Shop restaurant. Soon after 
partaking of the hospitality of Philadelphia, we continued on our 
journey to South Amboy, where we took a steamer for New York 
City, arriving there at eleven o'clock in the forenoon of June 
2nd. When we reached Portland, Saturday night, June 3rd, 
we found a bountiful supper awaiting us, prepared by the ladies 
of that city. These tables were placed in the railroad station 
and we were waited upon by the ladies themselves. The 
Regiment reached Augusta, Sunday morning, June 4th, and 
found the populace in the streets to greet us on our march to 
camp. 

From Portland to Augusta at nearly every station men 
left the train, to visit home or relatives, with instructions to 
report at Augusta in two days. On the afternoon of June 4th, 
the Regiment had its last dress parade, in the presence of the 
Governor, other officials and a large gathering of people. At 
the request of Governor Cony, the members of the Regiment 
visited the State House, on June 5th, where the men were ad- 
dressed by the Governor, who took each one by the hand, as they 
passed him in single file. Public officials and private citizens, 
indeed everybody, sought to make the home-coming of the 
Regiment a joyful event. 



314 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

The Regimental colors delivered to the Adjutant-General 
of Maine were the original colors of the Regiment. The Na- 
tional flag was carried in every engagement in which the Regi- 
ment participated. 

In pursuance with General Orders No, lo, dated March 
7th, 1865, issued by General Meade, the Regiment was author- 
ized, as already stated, to inscribe upon its colors the following 
names of battles in which it bore a conspicuous part, viz: 
Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Bristoe Station, 
Mine Run, Wilderness, Po River, North Anna, Totopotomoy, 
Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Deep Bottom, Strawberry Plains, 
Reams' Station and Boydton Road. The battle of Petersburg 
included the Jerusalem Plank Road. There was no reason 
why Morton's Ford should not have been included in this list. 
Subsequent to March 7th, 1865, the date of Meade's order, 
the Regiment was engaged at Hatcher's Run, Crow House 
and High Bridge and was present at Appomattox. 

The Nineteenth Maine Regiment was paid off by Major 
Robie on Wednesday June the 7th, 1865, and broke ranks for- 
ever. 

May Heaven's choicest blessing rest upon the survivors 
of the dear old Regiment and the families of those who have 
passed over the river into the encampment upon the other side! 



Roster 



ROSTER 



317 



Roster of the Nineteenth Regiment 
of Maine Volunteers. 



LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS. 



Absent 
Appointed 
Artillery- 
Battery 
Captain 
Company 
Conscript 
Corporal 
Deserter / 
Deserted f 
Detached J 

Detailed f 

Discharged for disability 
Discharged for cause other 

disability . 
Expiration . 
First Me. Heavy 

Artillery . 
Hospital . . 

Lieutenant . 



than 



abs. 

apptd. 

arty. 

batt. 

capt. 

.CO. 

cons. 

Corp. 

des. 

det. 

disc. 

disch. 
ex p. 



1st H. A. 

hosp. 
lieut. 



Missing 

Musician 

Mustered out of service 

Promoted 

Principal 

Prisoner 

Private 

Reduced to ranks 

Reported 

Regimental 

Sergeant 

Service 

Substitute . 

Transferred . 

United States Colored 

Troops 
Veteran 

Veteran Reserve Corps 
Wounded 
Wounds. 



missg. 

mus. 

m. o. 

pr. 

prin. 

pris. 

priv. 

red. 

reptd. 

regti. 

sergt. 

serv. 

sub. 

tr. 



U. S. C. T. 

vet. 
. V. R. C. 

wd. 
wds. 



LIST OF BATTLES IN WHICH THE REGIMENT WAS 
ENGAGED. 

Fredericksburg n^^ .^ , r 

chanceiiorsvii!^ :::::::::;::; g^ 12-15, 

Thoroughfare Gap or Haymarket, Va. Tunp ?=;' 

Gettysburg V i i ^ 

Bristoe Station j^Y i7 

Mine Run ZIZZ Nov^ 27 \n 

Morton's Ford Feb 6* 

May 5-7,' 



Wilderness. 



Spottsylvania, (including Po River)."."!"." Mav'' 8-1 

North Anna ""^"""-22-26 

une 1, 



i-i^iLii j-iiiua Mav 

Totopotomoy Mav'28— T 

Cold Harbor ;::.;::;:;: ^^^ ^s j 

Petersburg V„no ia iq 

Jerusalem Plank Roa"d".".;::::: ^ fnnp 99 

Deep Bottom "ZZ\ 'TuI'v 25-28 

Strawberry Plains S ,1 f°' 

Reams' Station Anl J?' 

Boydton Road n^f ;f' 

Hatcher's Run .".Z".!."!.'."!'.'"' "!.'." Feb 5-6 

Crow House Mproh'Ti ir.,- o' 

High Bridge zzzzzrzzr!:!!^^.!^:^ ?: 



'62 

'63 

'63 

'63 

'63 

'63 

'64 

'64 

'64 

'64 

'64 

'64 

'64 

'64 

'64 

'64 

'64 

'64 

'65 

'65 

'65 



3i8 



THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 



COLONELS 
Date op Com. Name Residence Remarks 

Aug. 25, '62 Frederic D. Sewell Bath Resigned, Feb. 19, '63. 

Mch. 2, '63 Francis E. Heath Waterville Wd. Gettysburg, resigned, Nov. 4, '63. 

Dec. 1 Selden Connor Fairfield Wd. Wilderness, promoted brig. gen. July 1, 'Sfe 

m. o., Apr. 7, '66. 
Aug. 16, '64 James W. Welch Augusta Wd. Gettysburg and Spottsylvania, resigned 

Oct. 21, '64. 
Nov. 11 Isaac W. Starbird Litchfield Wd. Gettysburg and High Bridge dischargeiS 

June 7, '65. 

LIEUTENANT-COLONELS 

July 17, '62. . . .Francis E. Heath Waterville Promoted Colonel. 

Mch. 2, '63. . . .Henry W. Cunningham Belfast Resigned June 11, '64. 

Nov. 3, '64. . . .Isaac W. Starbird Litchfield Promoted colonel. . . 

Nov. 11 Joseph W. Spaulding . Richmond Mustered out May 31, '65. 

MAJORS 

Aug. 25, '62. . . .Henry W. Cunningham Belfast Promoted lieutenant-colonel. 

Mch. 2, '63. . . .James W. Welch Augusta Promoted colonel. 

Aug. 16, '64. . . .Isaac W. Starbird Litchfield Promoted lieutenant-colonel. 

Nov. 3, Joseph W. Spaulding . .Richmond Promoted lieutenant-colonel. 

Nov. 11 David E. Parsons Norridgewock. . . .Wd. Wilderness, mustered out May 31, '6S. 

ADJUTANTS 

July 21, '62 Frank W. Haskell Waterville Discharged Feb. 6, '64. 

Aug. 16, '64. . . . Henry Sewall Augusta Mustered out May 31, '65. 

QUARTERMASTERS 

July 15, '62 James W. Wakefield . .Bath Resigned Nov. 13, '63. 

Mch. 9, '64. . . .Albert Hunter Clinton Mustered out May 31, '65. 

SURGEONS 

Aug 6, '62 Adoniram J. Billings . . . Freedom Resigned Jan. 11, '64. 

Feb. 3, '64 Hawes, John Q. A Hallowell Resigned Nov. 2, '64. 

Nov. 11, William H. Randall . .Dixfield Mustered out May 31, '65. 

ASSISTANT SURGEONS 

, .Henry C. Levansaler . .Thomaston Discharged Aug. 17, '63. 

. .John Q. A. Hawes . . . .Hallowell Resigned June 22, '63. 

. .Wallace Bolan New Sharon Resigned Mar. 22, '64. 

. .Fred G. Parker Stetson Discharged Mar. 5, '64. 

. .William H. Randall . . . Dixfield Promoted surgeon. 

, . Benjamin F. Sturgis . . . N. Gloucester. . . . Resigned Oct. 22, '64. 

, . Benjamin Bussey, Jr. . . Houlton Mustered out May 31, '65. 

CHAPLAINS 

Aug. 16, '62. . . .Eliphalet Whittlesey . . Brunswick Promoted captain and A. A. G. 

Oct. 1 Edwin B. Palmer Belfast Resigned Feb. 16, '63. 

June 13, '63. . . .George W. Hathaway .Skowhegan Mustered out May 31, '65. 

NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF 
SERGEANT-MAJORS 
Date op Rank Name Residence Remarks 

Aug 16, '62 William P. Joy Waterville Tr. Co. A. as priv. disc. Feo. 6, '64. 

Feo. 16, '63 George A. Wadsworth , Bath. Wd. Gettysburg, pr. 2nd It. Co. E, Aug. 15. '63L 

Dec. 6, '63. . . .Andrew D. Black Stockton App't q. m. sergt. 

Mch. 22, '64 William A. Wood Bowdoinham Pris. North Anna. 

QUARTER-MASTER SERGEANTS 

July 25 '62 Benjamin B. Hanson . . Pittston Pr. 2d lieut. Co. K. Dec. 13, '62. 

Dec 19, '62 George H. Page Warren Pr. 2d lieut. Co. E. Oct. 19, '63. 

Oct. 27, '63 George J. Eaton Bath Died Mar. 27, '64. 

Mch. 30, '64 Andrew D. Black Stockton Disch. with regiment. 

COMMISSARY SERGEANTS 

July 22, '62 Thomas D. Wakefield . Bath Red. to ranks Co. K disc. Jan. 18, '63. 

July 15, '63 John C. Knowlton Montville Disc. Mar. 20, '65. 

Jan. IS, '64 Daniel Carley Prospect Tr. from 4th Me. disch. July 1, '64. 

July 1,'64 Joseph W. Winter Bath Disch. with regiment. 

HOSPITAL STEWARDS 

Aug. 11, '62 Delon H. Abbott Orono Disch. for promotion July 16, '63. •. 

Aug. 24. '63 Charles H. Dodge Freedom Disch. with regiment. 



July 


26, 


62. 


Sept 


2, 




lulv 


17, 


63. 


Aug. 


20, 




Apr. 


V, 


64. 


Apr. 


9, 




Nov. 


8. 





ROSTER 

PRINCIPAL MUSICIANS 
Date op Rank Name Residence Remarks 

Dec. 1/63 J. Loyalist Brown Bowdoinham Pr. from Co. A. 

Feb. 12, '64 Lauriston Chamberlain Bowdoinham Pr. from Co F 

June IS, '64. . , . Fred J. Low Winterport Tr. from 4th Me. disch. July 1, '64. 

DRUM MAJOR 

Nov. 2, 62.... Daniel R. Maddox Belfast Disch. Nov. 28, "62 by order 126, 

FIFE MAJOR 
July 2S, 62. . . .Carter W. Payson Camden Disch. Nov. 28, '62 by order 126. 

CAPTAINS 
Date OF Com. „ Name Residence Co. Remarks 

Aug. 25, 62 James W. Hathaway ..Mercer A .. Resigned Nov S '62 



319 



Nov. 21 Joseph W. Spaulding . . Richmond 

r„-, » '^r .John A. Lord Belfast 

.Lindley B. Coleman . . . Lincoln ville. . . 

. Horace C. Noyes Belfast 

.David E. Parsons Norridgewock. 

.Calvin B. Hinckley Norridgewock. 

.Charles H. Rowell Fairfield 

George L. Whitmore. . . Bowdoinham. 



Jan. 4, '65 
Aug. 23, '62. 
Nov. 1, 
June 23, '63. 
Nov. 28, '64. 
Aug. 1,'62. 
Aug. 25,' 
Dec. 18, '63. 

Jan. 4, '65. 
Aug. 25, '62. 
Aug. 16, '64. 
Aug. 25, '62. 
Feb. 11, '63. 
Oct. 19, 
Aug. 25, '62. 
Oct. 22, '64. 
Aug. 25, '62. 
Apr. 10, '63. 
Oct. 4, '64. 
Aug. 25, '62. 
Dec. 1, . 
Aug. 25,' . 
Mch. 2, '63. 
Oct. 19, 



. A . . Promoted major 

.A . .Mustered out May 31, '65. 

. B . .Died Oct. 18, '62. 

. B . .Resigned Feb. 20, '63. 

. B . . Promoted major. 

. B . .Mustered out May 31, '65. 

.C. . . Resigned Oct. 12, '62. 

.C. . .Resigned Nov. 7, '63 



'64. 



Charles E. Nash Hallowell '.' .'c' .' .'Wd. Gettysburg knd Reams' Station ■ 

^, T^ T^ , „ charged Nov. 28, '64. 

1 homas P. Beath Boothbay C. . .Mustered out May 31 '65 

William H. Fogler Belfast D . . Wd. Totopotomoy, discharged Nov 2 

Elbndge C. Pierce Belfast D . .Wd. Wilderness, m. o. May 31 '65' ' 

Daniel L. Dickey Stockton E . .Resigned Jan. 1, '63. 

Asbury C. Richards . . . Pittston E . .Discharged Sept. 18, '63 

Nehemiah Smart Swanville E . . Wd. Spottsylvania, mustered out May 31 '65 

Isaac W. Starbird Litchfield F .. Promoted major 01,03. 

Ansel L White Belfast F . .Mustered out May 31, '65 

James W. Welch Augusta G . .Promoted major. 

Everett M Whitehouse China G . . Wd. Wilderness, term expired Oct 14 '64 

Addison W. Lewis Waterville G . .Discharged June 9 '65 ■ . . 



Resigned Oct. 31, '62. 
Wd. Gettysburg, discharged June 10, '65 
Resigned Feb. 23, '63. 
Killed Gettysburg July 2, '63. 
. Pris. Petersburg, discharged May 15, "65. 



.Joseph Eaton Jr Winslow H 

. Willard Lincoln China H 

.Edward A. Snow Rockland I 

.Geo. D. Smith Rockland I 

.Edgar A. Burpee Rockland I 

Aug. 25, 62.... Charles S. Larrabee . . .Bath K ..Resigned Mch. 3, '63 

Mch. 2,63 Dumont Bunker Fairfield K .. Discharged Oct 26 '64 

Nov. 11, 64.... Oliver R. Small Gardiner K ..Mustered out May 31. '65. 

.,r., T , „, FIRST LIEUTENANTS 

Aug. 25, 62 Joseph W. Spaulding . .Richmond A . .Piomoted captain Co A 

T *^'^" ^. . David E. Paisons Noiridgewock. .A . .Promoted captain Co b' 

July 12, 64. . . . Henry Sewall Augusta A . . Wd. Gettysburg, promoted adjutant 

Resigned Dec. 28, '64 



Aug. 1 1 Josiah W. Tucker Mercer A 

Feb. I, '65 George Studley Camden A 

Aug. 25, '62 William Clements Monroe B 

Nov. 21 Jason Gordon Thorndike B 

Mch. 2,'63....ElishaW. Ellis Monroe . .B 

Jan. 22, '64 Ansel L. White Belfast B 

Oct. 22, Calvin B. Hinckley Norridgewock B 

Nov. 28 Alfred E. Nickerson . . .Swanville B 

Aug. 25, '62.... Joseph H. Hunt Unity C 

Nov. 1 Francis M. Ames Fairfield C 

Aug. 25 Joseph Nichols Phipsburg C 

Mch. 2, '63 Albion Whitten Troy C 

Jan. 4, '64 William H. Emery Fairfield'.'!', C 



Nov. 28 James H. Pierce Prospect . . 

Aug. 2 5, '62 Horace C. Noyes Belfast . . 

Nov. 21 Edw'd R. Cunningham Belfast 

July 11, '64. . . .Elbridge C. Pierce Belfast 

Oct. 22 John A. Lord Belfast 

Jan. 4, '65 Charles Bennett Bridgton . . . 

Aug. 25, '62 James Johnson Searsport. . . 

Oct. 15 John L. Tapley Frankfort 



. .Mustered out May 31, '65. 

. .Resigned Oct. 17, '62. 

. .Resigned Feb. 17, '63. 

. . Wd. Gettysburg, resigned Doc. 12, '£3. 

. . Promoted captain Co. F. 

. . Promoted captain Co. B. 

. .Mustered out May 31, '65. 

. .Resigned Oct. 21, '62. 

. .Resigned Nov. 18, '62. 

..Cashiered Feb. 16, '63. 

..Resigned Nov. 17, '63. 

. . Wd. Gettysburg and Wilderness, diicharged 
Oct. 13, '64. 

.C . .Wd. Gettysburg, mustered out May 31, '65 
. D . .Promoted captain Co. B. 
. D . .Wd. Gettysburg, discharged June 15, '64. 
. D . .Promoted captain Co. D. 
.D . .Promoted captain Co. A. 
. D . .Mustered out May 31, '65. 
.E . .Resigned Oct. 2, '62. 
E . .Resigned Feb. 14, '63. 



Mch. 2, '63 Nehemiah Smart Swanville. .'. . . E 

Oct. 19 George A. Wadsworth Bath E 

July 12, '64.... Oliver R. Small Gardiner E 

Oct. 4 Edward B. Sargent Boothbay. . E 

Aug. 25, '62 George L. Whitmore . Bowdoinham . .F 

Oct. 4 Charles E. Nash Hallowell F ™^. „ ^ 

i*"' ??'ifl--§'^^^" ^i %^ Thorndike F. . .Wd. Gettysburg, mustered out May 31 '65 

Aug. 25, 62. . . .Everett M. Whitehouse China G . .Promoted captain Co. G ^ . ■ 



. Promoted captain Co. E. 

.Discharged Apr. 27, '64. 

. Promoted captain Co. K. 
. .Discharged June 9, '65. 
. . Promoted captain Co. C. ;[ 

. Promoted captain Co. C. 



320 



THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 



Date r)F Com 


Apr. 


10 


•63... 


Oct. 


22 


•64.. 


Aug 


25 


•62... 


Dec. 


1 




July 


18 


•64... 


Aug 


25 


•62.. 


Mch 


2 


'63.. 


Mch 


10, 


Oct. 


19 




Oct. 


22 


•64.. 


Aug 


25 


■62.. 


Dec. 


\i 




Mch 


2 


•63.. 


June 


22 


,■64.. 


Jan. 


4 


•65... 


Aug. 


25 


•62... 


Dec. 


1 




Mch 


16 


•64... 


Oct. 


22 




Feb. 


1 


•65... 


Aug. 


25 


'62... 


Dec. 


13 




Jan. 


22 


'64... 


Oct. 


22 




Nov. 


28 




Aug. 


25 


■62... 


Nov. 


1 




Dec. 


31 




Mch. 


2, 


'63... 


Dec. 


18 




Jan. 


4. 


'64... 


Aug. 


25. 


'62... 


Nov. 


21. 




Jan. 


22, 


■64... 


lulv 


12, 




Oct. 


4, 




Jan. 


4, 


'65... 


Aug. 


25, 


62... 


Dec. 


13, 




Aug. 


IS, 


63... 


Oct. 


ly, 


63... 


Aug. 


25, 


62... 


lulv 


23, 




Jan. 


22. 


64... 


iulv 


11. 




Oct. 


22, 




Aug. 


25, 


62... 


Feb. 


5. 


63... 


June 


13, 




lulv 


26, 


64... 


Aug. 


25. 


62... 


Dec. 


13, 




Dec. 


18, 


63... 


Iulv 


11, 


64... 


Oct. 


22. 




Aug. 


25. 


62... 


Mch. 


2,' 


63... 


Mch. 


10, 




Oct. 


19, 




Feb. 


2.' 


64.... 


Tulv 


11, 




lulv 


18,' 


62.... 


lulv 


28. 




Dec. 


13, 




Mch. 


2,' 


63.... 


Mch. 


2. 




Feb. 


2." 


64.... 


June 


22. 




Aug. 


8. 




Jan. 


4.' 


6S.... 



N.\ME Residence 

. Loring Farr Manchester . 

. George P. Wood Penobscott . 

. Willard Lincoln China 

.Albert Hunter Clinton 

.Charles P. Garland 



Co, 

.G . 

..G . 

.H 

.H 



. . Winslow H 

.Gershom F. Burgess . . .Camden I 

. George D. Smith Rockland I 

Edgar A. Burpee Rockland I 

.George R. Palmer Camden I 

.William B. Sawyer .... Searsport I 

.Joseph Nichols Phipsburg K 

. Dumont Bunker Fairfield K 

. Richard Crockett Brunswick K 

.Thomas P. Beath Boothbay K . 

. Beniah P. DollofI Boothbay K 



REM.'VRKS 

.Wd. North Anna. disc. Sept. 15. '64. 

.Mustered out May 31, '65. 

.Promoted captain Co. H. 

.Wd. Gettysburg, promoted Quartermaster. 

.Wd. Gettysburg and High Bridge, mustered 

out May 31, '65. 
.Resigned Feb. 10, '63. 
.Promoted captain Co. I. 
.Promoted captain Co. I. 
.Wd. Spottsylvania, discharged Aug. 9, '64. 
.Mustered out May 31. '65. 
. Transferred to Co. C. 
. Promoted captain Co. K. 
.Discharged Apr. 26. '64. 
. Promoted captain Co. C. 
.Mustered out May 31. ^65. 



SECOND LIEUTENANTS 



.David E. Parsons Norridgewock. .A 

. Alvirus Osborne Smithfield A 

. Josiah W. Tucker Mercer A 

. George Studley Camden A 

.Columbus S. Anderson Richmond A 

. Levi Rackliffe Lincolnville . . . . B 

. Leroy S. Scott Belfast B 

.Calvin B. Hinckley .... Norridgewock. . B 

.Alfred E. Nickerson . . . Swanville B 

.Clarendon W. Gray Stockton B 

.Francis M. Ames Fairfield C. 

. Almon Goodwin Baldwin . , C . 

.Albion Whitten Troy C. 

. Francis H. Foss Fairfield C. 

.William H. Emery Fairfield C. 

..Henry W. Nye Fairfield C. 



. Edw^d R. Cunningham Belfast. 
. Ansel L. White Belfast. 



. .D 
..D 

Elbridge C. Pierce Belfast D 

. John A. Lord Belfast D 

.Charles Bennett Bridgton D 

. Franklin Adams Bowdoinham. . . D 

. John L. Tapley Frankfort E 

.Nehemiah Smart Swanville E 

. George A. Wadsworth . Bath E 

.George H. Page Warren E 

.Charles E. Nash Hallowell F. 

.Edwin H. Rich Thorndike F 

. Oliver R. Small Gardiner F 

.William B. Sawyer . . . .Searsport F. 

.Joseph Babson Brooklyn F. 

.George C. Hopkins . . . .Mt. Vernon. . . .G 

. Loring Farr Manchester . . . . G 

. Henry Sewall Augusta G 

.George A. Barton Augusta G 

.Albert Hunter Clinton H 

.Stephen R. Gordon . . .Clinton H 

.Charles P. Garland . . . .Winslow H 

. George P. Wood Penobscot H 

.William H. Tripp Sedgwick H 

. George D. Smith Rockland I . 

. Edgar A. Burpee Rockland I , 

George R. Palmer Camden I 

. Joseph L. Clark Rockland I 

. Lafayette Carver Vinalhaven .... I 

Thomas B. Campbell .Thomaston ... .1 

Charles S. Larrabee . . . Bath K 

Dumont Bunker Fairfield K 

Benjamin B. Hanson . . Pittston K , 

, Richard Crockett Brunswick K . 

Samuel E. Bucknam . . Eastport K . 

James N. Hinkley Georgetown. . . .K . 

George E. Grows Brunswick K . 

Beniah P. DolloflE Boothbay K . 

William L. Gerrish Portland K . 



. .Promoted 1st lieut. Co. A. 
. .Discharged March 4, '64. 
. .Promoted 1st lieut. Co. A. 
. .Promoted 1st lieut. Co. A. 
. .Discharged Mar. 17. "65. 
. .Resigned Oct. 29, '62. 

. .Mortally wd. Gettysburg, died July 13, 'f-3 
. .Promoted 1st lieut. Co. B. 
. .Promoted 1st lieut.. Co. B. 
. .Discharged June 9. '65. 
. .Promoted 1st lieut. Co. C. 
..Resigned Dec. 17. '62. 
. . Promoted 1st lieut. Co. C. 
. . Wd. Gettysburg, resigned Oct. 27. '63. 
. .Promoted 1st lieut. Co. C. 
. . Wd. Gettysburg and Spottsylvania. discharg- 
ed Feb. 23, '65. 
. .Promoted 1st lieut. Co. D. 
. .Promoted 1st lieut. Co. B. 
. .Promoted 1st lieut. Co. D. 
. .Promoted 1st lieut. Co. D. 
. .Promoted 1st lieut. Co. D. 
. .Mustered out May 31. '65. 
. .Promoted 1st lieut Co. E. 
. .Promoted 1st lieut. Co. E. 
. .Promoted 1st lieut. Co. E. 
. .Mustered out May 31. '65. 
. .Promoted 1st lieut. Co. F. 
. .Promoted 1st lieut. Co. F. 
. .Promoted 1st lieut. Co. E. 
..Promoted 1st lieut. Co. I. 
. .Mustered out May 31. '65. 
. .Resigned Jan. 27. '63 
, .Promoted 1st lieut. Co. G. 
• Promoted 1st lieut. Co. A. 
, .Wd. Wilderness, m. o. May 31. '65. 
, . Promoted 1st lieut Co. H. 
. Resigned Nov. 5. '63. 
. Promoted 1st lieut. Co. H. 
, .Promoted 1st lieut. Co. G. 
.Mustered out May 31, '65. 
.Promoted 1st lieut. Co. I. 
.Promoted 1st lieut. Co. I. 
, .Promoted 1st lieut. Co. I. 
.Resigned Nov. 30. '63. 
..Mortally wd. Jerusalem Plank Road, died 

June 22. '64. 
.Discharged Nov. 22. '64. 
, . Promoted captain Co. K. 
, .Promoted 1st lieut. Co. K. 
.Resigned Jan. 23. '63. 
. Promoted 1st lieut. Co. K. 
. Wd. Gettysburg, discharged Apr. 1, '64, 
.Died of wds. Feb. 18, '64. 
.Died of wds. July 7, '64. 
, Promoted 1st lieut. Co. K. 
.Died Feb. 11. '65, 



ROSTER 



321 



Company A. 
SOLDIERS WHO VOLUNTEERED AND JOINED COMPANY AT ITS ORGANIZATION 

SERGEANTS 
Name Agk Residence Mustkred into 

tdah w'TuTker ||- -S-'^hfield A^^g: Is^'a^.^'pr. 2d. lieut. Co. A. 

josian w lucKer 35.. Mercer Aup 2S 'M P,- 9,1 0^,1 <„* i;„..^ 

Charles H. Colbum! 
William R. Cary. . . . 



Remarks 



.Pr. 2d and 1st lieut. Co. A 
. .33. .Richmond. .:; '. IXui' ^^' '- ' •"- ^?^'-?"-^-«^ ^'"^'^' ?°ydton Road 



23. .Norridgewock. . .Aug. 25,' '62 

:!n NT J , ■^^S. 25/62 . Wd. Gettysburg^ tr'. vT'r'c" Iunf>"i^ '^j 

.30. .Norridgewock. . .Aug. 25, '62 . .Disc. Oct. 31, '62 ^- ^- *- J"ne 15. 64. 



John F. Chadbourn 



CORPORALS 



John t- Chadbourn.... 24.. Madison Aug. 25. '62 . .Disc March 19 '6^ 

a'°"a:;1"- 5?!^^^^"-!?- •i^°^'dgewock. . .Auf. 25.' '62 .. Prlsfsergt. killed 



Asa Andrews, Jr 

Payson T. Heald 

William Frederic, Jr. 
Gardiner W. Bigelow 
Humphrey P. Ridley. 
Ezekiel K. Morse. . . . 



.Moscow . . . .^: . :Aug. 2-5; '6-2 \ \Vr. se^gt^^d. 'SefnTsf at^ar^ o 

■^^^^^"^ . :i^|: \\\ 'tl ■ -^5 95^rb.-.«' ^^ed of wdt^A^"^5,°'63. 



Q Mfiij ---=•--.— .-Red. tr. V. R. C. June 3, '63 

Smithfield Aug. 25, '62 . . Wd. Gettysburg, tr. V. R C March 16 '64 

99 J^'='?™°"d Aug. 25, '62 . .Pr. sergt. disc, jily 14 '65 ^^■ 

•22-Starks Aug- 25. '62 . .Died. Oct. 4. '62. Washinton D C 

00 „ MUSICIANS ' ■ ■ 

.28. .Bowdomham . . .Aug. 25, '62 . .Pro. prin. mus.. Dec. 1. '63 m o 
.44. .Norridgewock. . .Aug. 25. '62 . .Disc. Feb. 8, '63. 
c „ , TA T . WAGONER 

Samuel D. Jordan 32. .Richmond Aug. 25. '62 . .Det. in brigade train, m. o. 

PRIVATES 

Anderson, Columbus. .21.. Richmond Aug. 25, '62 Pr 2d lieut Co A 

Anderson Joseph W.. .25. . Richmond Aui. 25 '62 Wd Pe ersburg' tr V R C 

^^"^^'^ ^^"^^ 33. .Mercer Aug. 25. '62. .Pr. corp^.^w^ettysbur?.- ^died of wds 

ir. r>- u J « Aug- 6, '63. 

■ ,=■ ■ c"'^?^",'^ A^S- 25. 62 . .Disc. Jan. 28, '63. 

Butler, Edward K 18. .Norridgewock. . .Aug. 25,' '62 ' 'm' o' 

Chapman, Leander G.. 19 . .Starks Aug. 25 



J. Loyalist Brown. 
Jeremiah Hartford 



Beedle, Wilbur F.. . 
Bigelow, Charles H. 
Buker, John C 



Charles, Arthur E. . . '. . 1 
Charles. Benjamin F 



Chase, Roger 

Church, John P. . . 
Collins, Charles W 
Collins, Elliott F. . . . 1 



Rome Aug. 25, '62 

19.. Rome Aug. 25. '62 

18.. Madison Aug. 25. '62 

22. .Gardiner Aug. 25, '62 

19. .Starks Aug. 25, '62 

.Starks Aug. 25, '62 



62 . .Disc. March 26, '63. 



Copeland, Edward W. 32 : .SmTthfield l i .' : : : Aul! 2 ,' '6^2 l ! oled Sec 2"i'- °62 

Dawes, John D 28. .Madison .\ug. 25 '62 Mo 

Downs, John L 19. .Mercer Aug. 25. '62 . _ Pr mm w^ w;,. 



■Died^Feb 9, '65 of wds. rec'd. at Hatcher's 

.Wd. Gettysburg, pris., Jerusalem Plank 

Road, paroled, disch June 12. '65 
.M. o. 

. Wd. Gettysburg, tr. to navy Apr. 23. '64 
.Killed, GettysDurg, July 2. '63. 
In hosp. at m. 



r^ — „ - ...ercer Aug. 25, '62 

Dresser. Emerson 32. .Madison Aup 25 '62 

Eastnian Franklin. . . .43 . .Gardiner Aug'. 25', '62 

^ish, Osborne W 35. .Madison Aug 25 '62 

p ' wmF™^",V '^- -Moscow Aug. 25, '62 

Foss, Wilham H 19. .Rome Aug. 25 '62 



Pr. Corp. wd. Wilderness, m. o 
.Det. serv. disch. June 12, '65. 
.Wd. Spottsylvania, m. o. 
.Tr. V. R. C. March 10, '64. 
. Pr. Corp. killed. Wilderness. 



Gaee Hiram w" I'a ' ■m"'"-j , i^"*^- ''^' "^ ■ -Died of measles Jan. 21, '63. 

uage. Hiram W 18. .Norridgewock. . .Aug. 25. '62 . .Pr. sergt. wd. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. V. 

Gage S. Nelson 19.. Madison Aug 25 '62 Disc^Se^t 1 '61 

Geotf Jo'hnX' ^■■- II ' "^^'^^'^r'^ ^'• ''' •'" ' " DeT'inXbL'lance corps, m. o. 

ueorge. John R 19 . . New Sharon .... Aug. 25. '62 . . Pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, disch. June 12, 



Groves' Charles H 22 ' ■fT'''^,^'^'^ ■ •,• • " • ^S- 25. 62 . . Wd. Spottsylvania. disc. July 21, '64 

Heald Perham 22 . .Norridgewock. . . Aug. 25. 62 . .Wd. Spottsylvania and Oct. 11, ''64, m o 

neaid. i-erham 18 . .Norridgewock. . .Aug. 25. '62 . . Pr. corp. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road 'disch 

o w . June 12, '65. ' "'='^"- 

Mercer Aug. 25, '62 . . Pris. Reams' Station. jdisch. June 12, '65. 



Huff. Tilly Ij 



Kb 1os"eoh'p *" ■ • • -f^- •Ri'^hmond Aug. 25.' '62 .-.Died ^rwrshTngton'; D.' c'.* Jan:'3l'%3 

ingalls, josepn F 18 . .Mercer Aug. 25. '62 . . Pris. Jerusalem Plank Road ---- 



Tones, Amos R.. 



- , disch. 

.„,,,. . June 12, '65. 

fordan Elias T i^ ' p^t'^°"-..; ^''^- ^.^^ " ' K^' '^"'■P- ^d. Spottsylvania, m. o. 

loraan, liiias 1 35. .Richmond Aug. 25, 62 . . Pr corn tr V R C Dpc 15 '^1 

Kennison, Andrew 38. .Norridgewock. . . Aui. 25; '62 . . Wd. GeUysburJleg amputated ; disc 

liSban' fe^ I'y-^'"'" ^"^- 25. '62 . .Died°Nov!'l6,'''62. 

^imoall, Alvin 37.. Mercer Aug. 25. 62 Disc Feb 5 '61 

IScaster' ^^^n^""' ' '.l ' -l^-^t-n- - • Aul 25,' '62 i .Difd Feb.' l'9. "i. 

ancaster. John P 24. .Rienmond .^ug. 25. '62 . . Wd. Wilderness, m. o. 



322 



THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 



Name 



Age 



Leavitt, Henry 26 



Leavitt, Samuel 

Leeman, Eben 

Leeman, Seth H 

Mathews, Marcellus S. 
Maxim, Philander C. . 

Meader, John W 

Merrill, John, Jr 

Moore, Lorenzo 

Moshier, Charles R. . . 
Murphy, William B.. . 

Newell, Arthur 

Nottage, William H.. . 
Patterson, Jos. R. Jr.. 
Perkins, Marcellus S. . 

Powers, Isaac 

Ridley, George R.. 

Riggs, Isaac A 

Rowe, Charles M. . 
Rowe, Sherburne N 
Rowe, Isaiah H.. . . 
Sawtelle, Levander 
Small, Richard. . . . 
Smith, Edward H. 

Taylor, Alfred 

Taylor, Seth E. . . . 
Tibbetts, Isaac W. 
Tibbetts, Charles H 
Trott, William F. . 
Turner, Stephen W 
Varney, Hiram W. 
Varney, Edwin K.. 

Vigue, Louis 

Washburn, Daniel M 
Weaver, George M 
Webster, John R. 
Wells, Obed W.. . . 
Wells, Bradford 15, 
Williams, David. . 
Young, Abel L.. . . 



.23 
.20, 
.24. 
.18, 
.26 
.18 
.21 
.43 
.35 
.23, 
.18, 
.38 
.18 
.18 
.38 
.28 
.27 
.28 
.26. 
.22. 
.23. 
.40 
.21. 
.19, 
.29 
.21 
.21 
.18 
.36, 
.36. 
.18. 
.40. 
.24. 
.24. 
.23. 
.21. 
.20. 
.24. 
.44, 



Residence Mustered into Re.m.^rks 

U. S. Service 

. Richmond Aug. 25, '62 . . Pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, died Anderson- 

ville Nov. 1, '64. 

.Richmond Aug. 25, '62. .Wd. Gettysburg and Wilderness, m. o. 

.Starks Aug. 25, '62. , Disc. Jan. 13, '63. 

.Starks Aug. 25, '62. Tr. V. R. C. Au?. 1, '63. 

.Madison Aug. 25, '62 . .Died typhoid fever Jan. 10, '63. 

.Moscow Aug. 2 5, '62. . Died, measles, Jan. 6, '63. 

.Mercer Aug. 25, '62.. Pris, Jerusalem Plank Road, disch. June 12, '65. 

.Richmond Aug. 25,'62..Pr. corp. killed. Wilderness May 6, '64. 

.Richmond Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Feb. 6, '63. 

.Rome Aug. 25, '62. . Des. Falmouth, Va., June 10, '63, tr. 1st H. A. 

.Norridgewock. .Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, killed. Wilderness. 

.Richmond Aug. 25, '62. .Died, Feb. 5, '63. 

.Starks Aug. 2 5, '62. . Pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, disch. June 12, '65. 

.Richmond Aug. 2 5, '62. .Died disease of lungs Jan. 3, '63. 

.Madison Aug. 25, '62, .Tr. V. R. C. May 5, '63. 

.Norridgewock. .Aug. 25, '62. . Det. in ambulance corps, m. o. 

.Richmond Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. sergt. m. o. 

.Mercer Aug. 25, '62. .Died Nov. 25, '62. 

.Smithfield Aug. 2 5, '62. .Killed Wilderness. 

.Smithfield Aug. 2 5, '62. . Pr. corp. m. o. 

.Smithfield Aug. 25, '62. . Died Dec. 18, '62. 

.Starks Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. North Anna, pr. sergt. m. o. 

.Richmond Aug. 25, '62. .Sick in hosp. since Dec. 24, '63. 

.Richmond Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Wilderness May 6, '64, pr. corp. m. o. 

. Norridgewock. . Aug. 25,'62..M. o. 

.Norridgewock. .Aug. 25, '62. .Died Nov. 20, '62 on way to Washington, D. C. 

.Mercer Aug. 2 5, '62. . Wd. Petersburg June 19, '64, m. o. 

.Mercer Aug. 2 5, '62. . Wd. Petersburg June 16, '64, m. o. 

.Richmond Aug. 2 5, '62. . Pr. corp. m. o. 

.Richmond Aug. 2S,'62. .Tr. V. R. C. July 19, '63. 

.Norridgewock. .Aug. 25, '62. .Absent sick at m. o. 

.Smithfield Aug. 2 5, '62. .Died Jan. 7, '63 Alexandria, Va. 

.Carratunk Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, tr. V. R. C. 

.Madison Aug. 25, '62. . Died, Frederick City, Oct. 17, '62. 

.Starks Aug. 25,'62. .Tr. V. R. C. Nov. 15, '63. 

.Norridgewock. . Aug. 25, '62. . Pro. a. q. m. of vols. disc. May 26, '63. 

.Mercer Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Feb. 28, '63. 

.Mercer Aug. 25, '62. . Pris. Jerusalein Plank Road, disch. June 12, '65. 

.Perkins Aug. 2 5, '62. . Pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, m. o. 

.Smithfield Aug. 25. '62. .Disc. May 26, '63. 



RECRUITS AND CONSCRIPTS WHO JOINEDICOMPANY SUBSEQUENT TO ITS ORGANIZATION 



Anderson, Martin V.. 
Armstrong, John L. . 
Bagley, Alexander. . . 

Bean, Danville 

Bean, Jeremiah 

Blake, William 

Burns, Benjamin. ... 

Carroll, James 

Cotter, William 

Curtis, John G 



Day, Charles E. 



Donahue, John 

Fairbrother, Henry H, 

Foley, Lawrence J 
Frost, Nathan P.., 

Gill, John H 

Hartford, William 
Henderson, Joseph B 
Hussey, George H. . 
Hurley, Thomas J. . 
Joy, William P 

Kimball, Frank A. . 
Morrill, Stephen D.. 
Nicholas, James. . . . 
Nobles, Robert 



. 19 . . Pleasant Ridge Jan. 4, '64 

.27. .V/inthrop Aug. 3, '63, 

.30.. Harmony A.ug. 14, '63. 

.26. .Pleasant Ridge Dec. 5, '63. 

.44. .Pleasant Ridge Dec. 24, '63. 

.22. .Portland Axig. 10, '63, 

.28..Embden Aug. 14, '63, 

.28. .Portland Sept. 24, '63, 

.21. .Portland July 27, '63, 

. 44. .Lewiston Aug. 7, '63, 

. 2 1 .. Monmouth July IS, '63. 

.28. .Skowhegan Sept. 24, '63, 

.22.. Palmyra Aug. 15, '63, 

. 33 . . Pembroke Sept. 1 ,'63 

. 29 . .Searsmont Aug. 6, '63 

.27. .Chesterville. . . .Aug. 13, '63 

.38. .Rome Aug. 13, '63 

.18 Dec. 23, '63 

. 26 . . Vassalboro July 16, '63 

.21. .Portland Sept. 24, '63, 

. 2 1 .. Ellsworth Aug. 25, '62. 

.21.. Mercer July 2 1 .'63 

.28.. Baring Aug. 9, '63, 

. 37 . .Vassalboro July 16. '63, 

.33. .Hermon Aug. 13, '63. 



.Tr. 1st H. A. 

.Cons. wd. Wilderness, tr. Ist H. A. 

.Cons. wd. Wilderness, abs. at m. o. 

.Wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st H. A. 

.Disc. Apr. 28, '64. 

.Cons. wd. Spottsylvania, tr. 1st H. A. 

.Cons. pris. Wilderness, tr. 1st H. A. 

. Cons, killed Wilderness. 

.Cons. wd. Totopotomoy, tr. 1st H. A. 

.Cons. wd. Bristoe Station, died Oct., '64. 

Annapolis, Md. 
.Cons. pris. Boydton Road, died Libby Prison 

Dec. 19, '64. 
.Cons. wd. Spottsylvania, tr. V. R. C. 
.Cons. pris. Wilderness, reptd. died at Anderson- 

ville Sept. 28, '64. 
.Cons, disch. June 12, '65. 
.Killed Wilderness. 
, . Tr. to CO. G. 

.Cons. tr. 1st H. A., absent at m. o. 
.Died Feb. 16, '64. 
.Cons, killed Spottsylvania. 
.Cons. wd. Spottsylvania. tr. 1st H. A. 
.Tr. from non-com. staff, on det. serv. disch. 

Feb. 6, '65. 
.Cons. det. in regimental hosp. tr. 1st H. A. 
.Cons. wd. Spottsylvania, tr. 1st H. A. 
.Cons. tr. 1st H. A. 
.Cons. disc. Dec. 26, '63. 



ROSTER 



323 



Name 

Overlock, Joseph A. . . 
Palmer, Benjamin, Jr. 

Phillips, William 

Pickering, Thomas . . . 
Quimby, Alonzo H.. . . 
Shaw, Benjamin F.. . . 
Stevens, George E. . . . 

Sumner, Robert 

Smith, William H 

Tallman, Charles G. . . 

Whalen, Edwin 

Willey, Loring W 

Williams, Albert S.. . . 



Age Residence Must 
U. S. 

. 32 . .Hermon Aug. 

. 20 . . New Portland . . Aug. 

.34. .Solon Aug. 

.21. .Portland Sept. 

.25. .Portland Sept 

.28. .Eastport Aug. 

.20. .Portland Sept 

.21 . .Portland Aug. 

.28. .Portland Oct. 

.22. .Richmond Feb. 

. 42 . . Gorham Sept 

.32 . .Cherryfield Sept 

.18.. Bowdoinham . . Dec. 



ERED INTO Remarks 

Service 

13, '63. .Cons. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. 1st H. i 
4, '63. .Cons, died Jan. 12, '64. 
14, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st H. A. 
24, '63. .Cons. disc. Feb. 28, '64. 
. 10, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, disch. May 12, '65. 
9, '63. .Cons. wd. Spottsylvania, tr. 1st H. A. 
4, '63. .Cons. wd. Spottsylvania tr. 1st H. A. 
Cons. wd. Spottsylvania, tr. 1st H. A. 
Tr. 1st H. A. 
Tr. to navy. 

Cons. tr. 1st H. A. absent sick at m. o. 
Cons, killed, Spottsylvania. 



11, '63. 

3, '64. 
19. '64. 

8, '63. 
17, '63. 
23,'63..Tr. 1st H. A. 



SOLDIERS TRANSFERRED TO COMPANY FROM 



Allum, Richard . . . 

Allen, Ira P 

Avery, Jeremiah . , 
Baker, George H. 
Babcock, William 
Bean, Freeborn G. 

Biker, George 

Carter, John 

Callahan, John. . . . 

Clark, A. J 

Colley, James M.. . 
Cochran, John . . . . 
Crosby, Williani. . , 



Crafts, James C 42 . 

Cusick, John 18. 

Daggett, Stephen 21 . 

Dailey, James 22 . 

Dickey Almerin 20 . 

Doten, Charles B 25 . 

Hatch, Sylvanus 20 . 

Jackson, George W. ... 19. 
Knowlton, George F. . .26. 

Lincoln, Llewellyn 18. 

McManus, Marcian W. . 25 . 



Ordway, Lewis 32 . 

Sidelinger, Manuel ... .29. 

Staples, Alvah 19. 

Sylvester. Sanford B.. .20. 



. .40. 
..23. 
. .26. 
. .36. 
..20. 
..20. 
..18. 
..29. 
..31. 
. .18. 
..22. 
..35. 
..23. 



. Bangor Aug. 

.Searsport Sept. 

.Greenfield Aug. 

. New Brunswick Aug. 

. Newburg Aug. 

. Bethel Aug. 

. Glenburn Sept. 

. Lewiston Aug. 

. Portland Sept. 

.Calais Sept. 

. Belfast Dec. 

. Lewiston Aug. 

. Swanville Sept. 



24,'63 
1,'63 

12, '63. 

26, '63 

12, '63, 
3, '63 
1,'63 

21, '63 
1,'63, 
1,'63, 

23, "63 

31, '63 
7, '61 



.Paris Aug. 31, '63 

.Lewiston Sept. 1,'63 

. Washington. .. .Jan. 1*64. 

.Portland Sept. 1,'63 

.Belfast Sept. 23, '61 

.Palermo Jan. 1,'64 

.Windsor Sept. 7, '61 

.Belmont Dec. 4, '63 

.Liberty Jan. 1,'64 

.Searsmont Jan. 1,'64 

.Unity Sept. 7, '61 



.Belmont Jan. 1,'64 

.Union Jan. 1,'64 

.Prospect Jan. 1,'64 

. Lincolnville. . . . Jan. 1,'64 



FOURTH MAINE REGIMENT JUNE IS, 18 

. .Cons. tr. to Co. G. 

, .Cons., wd. Wilderness, disc. March 20, '65. 

.Cons. wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st H. A. 
. .Cons. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. 1st, H. 
. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, disc, date unknown. 
. .Cons. tr. 1st H. A. 
. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, tr. Co. G. 
. .Cons. wd. Dec. 21, '63, tr. 1st H. A. 
. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, also rptd. deserter. 
. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, disc. Jan. 20, '65. 
. . Vet. wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st H. A., abs. at m. ■ 
..Cons. tr. 1st H. A. 
. . Pris. Gettysburg and Jerusalem Plank Ro 

died Andersonville Sept. 12, '64. 
. .Cons, disch. May 17, '65. 
. .Cons, musician, tr. 1st H. A. 
.Vet. tr. 1st H. A. 
. . Cons. tr. Co. G. 
. .Corp. disch. exp. serv. 
. .Vet., wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st H. A. 
. . Pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, disch. exp. serv. 
. . Pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. 1st H. A. 
Vet. Sergt. tr. 1st H. A. absent sick at m. o. 
Vet. wd. Strawberry Plains, tr. 1st H. A. 
. .Sergt. Pris. Gettysburg and Jerusalem Ph 
Road, mustered in 2nd It. to date julv 1, ' 
disc. July 19. '64. 

. Vet. wd. Deep Bottom, died same day. 

.Vet. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. 1st H. A 

.Vet. pr. sergt. tr. 1st H. A. 

. Vet. pris. Gettysburg and Jerusalem PIe 
Road, tr. 1st H. A. 



SOLDIERS WHO JOINED COMPANY FROM FIFTH COMPANY UNASSIGNED INFANTRY 

IN NOVEMBER 1864 



Baldwin, Robert . . . . 
Dearborn, George H. 
Gerrish, William L.. . 
Sawyer, James A. . . . 
Stone, Emery 



.Vienna Oct. 

.Waterville Oct. 

.Portland Oct. 

.Waterville Oct. 

.Bristol Oct. 



5,'64..Tr. 1st H. A. 

S,'64..Tr. 1st H. A. 

5, '64. .Sergt. pr. 2nd lieut. Co. K. 

5, '64. .Tr. 1st H. A. 

S,'64. .Tr. 1st H. A. 



CoMP.^NY B. 



SOLDIERS WHO VOLUNTEERED AND JOINED THE COMPANY AT ITS OEGANIZATION 

SERGEANTS 
.29. .Thorndike Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. 2d. lieut. and 1st. lieut. 



Jason Gordon .... 
Elisha W. Ellis. . . 

Isaac Hills 

George W. Young 
Daniel Bachelor 

Manter A. Roberts 
Augustus A. Cobb 
Daiius S. Richards 

Wilbur M. Clifford . 

John C. Ford 

Oscar F. Dunton . 



21. .Monroe Aug. 25,'62. .Pr. 1st. lieut. wd. Gettysburg. 

. . 18. .Northport Aug. 25, '62. . Red.wd. Gettysburg, disc. Dec. 3, '63. 

. .27 . .Lincolnville. . . .Aug. 25, '62. . Red. own request, tr. V. R. C. July 19, '63. 

.29 . .Palermo Aug. 2 5, '52 . .Det. in ambulance corps, m. o. 

CORPORALS 

.23. .Brooks Aug. 25, '62. . Disc. Feb. 17, '63. 

..21. .MontviUe Aug. 25,'62..Tr. to 4, U. S. arty. 

. .26. .Lincolnville. .. .Aug. 25, '62. .Pr. 1st. sergt. wd. Wilderness and Rea' 

Station, disch. May 18, '65 . ; 1. 

. .19. .Palermo Aug. 25, "62. .Red., died, Jan. 9, "64. 

. .26. .Monroe Aug. 25, '62. . Disc. Dec. 27, '62. 

. .20. .Liberty Aug. 25, '62.. Died Dec. 7, '62. 'J 



324 



THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 



Name 

Willard R. Hardy 
Edwin A. Howes 



George Cony 35 

Edward L. Mitchell ...21 



John A. Porter . . . 



Age Residence Mustered into Remarks 

U. S. Service 

21 . .Searsmont Aug. 2 5, '62. . Red. wd. Gettysburg, m. o. 

23. .Liberty Aug. 2 5, '62. . Pr. sergt. killed, Gettysburg. 

MUSICIANS 

.Monroe Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Aug. 28, '63. 

.Liberty Aug. 25, '62. .M. o. 

WAGONER 
.40. . Lincoln ville. . . .Aug. 2 5, '62. .On det. duty, m. o. 
PRIVATES 



Atwood, Levi F 26. .Liberty Aug. 25 



Bagley, David G. 
Bachelder, John Jr. 
Batchelor, James. . . 
Belden, Charles . . . 
Bennett, Ira Z. 



,19. .Liberty Aug. 25 

.21 . .Monroe Aug. 25 

. 43 . . Montville Aug, 2 5 

.18.. Palermo .Aug. 25 

32 -' '■■ 



.Montville Aug. 25 

Boynton, Elbridge M. 22. .Liberty .\ug. 2 5 

Bradstreet, William R. 33. .Palermo Aug. 2 5 



Briggs, William. 



..30.. Monroe Aug. 25 



Bullen, Hugh A 18 

Buzzell, Elijah K 27 

Chapman, George F 1 " 

Churchill, Wm. H. 
Cilley, Lorenzo D 



.Montville Aug. 25 

. Monroe Aug. 2 5 

.Liberty Aug. 25 

.22. .Montville Aug. 25 

.28. .Brooks Aug. 25 



Clark, Isaac C 18. .Lincolnville. . . .Aug. 25 

Coffin, Frank 18. .Thomdike Aug. 25 

Crockett, Wilbur 18. .Lincolnville. . . .Aug. 25 

Crooker, Benjamin S.. .24. .Lincolnville 



Crummett, Orson E 18. .Northport 



.Aug. 25 
.Aug. 25 



Cross, Israel H 18. .Lincolnville. . . .Aug. 25 

Crosby, George A 18. .Northport . . . .Aug. 25 

Cross, George E 20. .So. Thomaston. Aug. 25 

Curtis, Watson 38. .Monroe Aug. 25 

Curtis, William H. . . .21. .Monroe Aug. 25 

Dean, Silas 23.. Lincolnville .... Aug. 2 5 

Dean, John H 34. .Palermo .'Vug. 25 

Dunton, Hosea B 19. .Liberty Aug. 25 

Eastman, William H.. . 18. .Liberty Aug. 25 

Ellis, Alvin H 18. .Monroe Aug. 25 

Flagg, Job P 18. .Monroe Aug. 25 

Gray, James C 22. .Monroe Aug. 25 

Gregory, Alonzo V 26. .Montville Aug. 25 

Hall, John Jr 18. .Brooks Aug. 25 

♦Harmon, Martin 22 . . Montville Aug 



Hannon, Horace I. ... If 

Haskell, Christopher C.31 . 

Harriman, Woodb'ry S.18 



Heal, Isaiah. 
Heal, Morrison R.. . . 
Henderson, Irad M. 
Hustus, Hiram A. . . . 
Hubbard, William. . . 
Kenniston, Wesley . 
Knowles, Andrew J. . 
Knowlton, Joshua T. 



.27 
.22 
21 



Liberty Aug. 2! 

.Searsmont Aug. 25 

■ Montville .'Vug. 2 5 

.Lincolnville.. . .Aug. 25 
25 



. Searsmont Aug 

.Nova Scotia ..Aug. 25, 

.24.. Monroe Aug. 25, 

.25.. Palermo Aug. 25, 

.18.. Liberty Aug. 25, 

.33. .Thomdike Aug. 25, 

.19.. Monroe Aug. 25, 

Lamb, Nathan 44. .Searsmont Aug. 25, 

Lane, John P 18. .Thomdike Aug. 25, 

Larrabee, Moses Jr. ..18.. Monroe Aug. 25, 

Mavo, George M 25. .Monroe Aug. 25, 

McDonald, Andrew R. 20 . . Winterport ...Aug. 25, 



Monroe, Joseph R. 
Monroe, Thomas F. . 
Moody, Augustus R.. 
Morang, George E. 



, 19. .Thorndike Aug. 

.23. .Thomdike Aug. 



19. .Lincolnville. .. .Aug. 25, 
, 18. .Lincolnville. .. .Aug. 25, 

. Palermo Aug. 25, 

. Palermo Aug. 25, 

.Thomdike Aug. 25 

.Montville Aug. 25 

Patterson, Washington 26. .Monroe Aug. 25 

*.Mso written Hanan and Hannon. 

Rand. Marshall H. . . .43. .Monroe Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, tr V. R. C 



Noyes, Eli 31 . 

Nutter, Richard A 41. 

Parsons, Henry 18 . 

Parsons, Joseph B. . . .30. 



'62. . Reptd. sick in hosp. during term of serv. 

'62.. Pr. sergt., killed. Wilderness 

'62., Pr. sergt. tr. V. R. C, Aug. 3, '63. 

'62.. Died, Ft. Wagner, D. C, Aug. 30, '62. 

'62. .Disc. Feb. 17, '63. 

'62. .Killed, Gettysburg. 

'62 . . Disc. April 4, '63. 

'62. . Det. in ambulance corps, disch. June 6, '65. 

'62. . Pr. Corp. wd. Gettysburg, red. tr. to navy Apr. 

16, '64. 
'62. . Pr. Corp. wd. Wilderness, died Nov. 18, '64. 
'62. .Mortally wd. Willdemess, died May 28, '64. 
'62. . Wd. Gettysburg, disc. Jan. 2, '64. 
'62.. Wd. Totopotomoy, disc. Mch. 1, '65. 
'62.. M. o. 

'62. .Disc. Apr. 10, '63. 

'62. .Mortally wd., Gettysburg, died July 14, '63. 
'62. . Wd. Spottsylvania, died June 23, '64. 
'62.. Pr. sergt. wd. Gettsburg and Totopotomoy, 

disch. .Apr. 29, '65. 
'62.. Wd. Gettysburg and Spottyslvania, died June 

9, '64. 
'62. . Wd. Bristoe Station, disc. Nov. 9, '64. 
'62. .Died in Washington, Nov. 5, '62. 
'62. .Disc. Dec. 23, '62. 

'62.. Wd. Gettysburg, tr. V. R. C. Mch. IS, '64. 
'62. . Wd. Gettysburg, m. o. 
'62. .Killed, North Anna. 
'62. .Disc, May 20, '63. 
'62 . . Killed ,Wilderaess. 
'62.. Died Oct. 5, '62. 

'62. . Pr. Corp. wd. Gettysburg, tr. V. R. C, Aug. 6, '64. 
'62.. Wd. Gettysburg, died of wds. York, Pa. 

Dec. 2nd., '63. 
'62 . . On. det. duty, m. o. 

62. . Pris. Reams' Station, no further record. 
62. .Died Jan. 19, '63. 
'62 . . Pr. sergt. m. o. 
62. .Det. as provost guard, m. o. 
62. .Disc. Feb. 7, 63. 
62. .Disc. Mch. 23, '63. 
62. .Disc. Feb. 17, '63. 
62. . Pr. sergt. wd. Wilderness, m. o. 
62, .Disc. Mch. 14, '63. 
62.. Tr. V. R. C, Jan. 15, '64. 
62. . Wd. Gettysburg, m. o. 
62.. Died Dec. 27, '62. 
62. .Killed, Spottsylvania. 
62. .On det. duty, m. o. 
62.. Disc. Feb. 2, '63. 
62.. Died Apr. 26, '63. 

62. , Wd. Gettysburg, pris. No. Anna, m. o. 
62. . Pr. Corp. wd. Wilderness, m. o. 
62..M. o. 

62 . . Det. as blacksmith, m. o. 
62.. Died Feb. 10, '63. 
62.. M. o. 
62. .M. o. 

62. . Miss'g at Gettysburg, fate unknown. 
62.. Disc. Dec. 4, '62. ' 

M. o. 



62 

62. .Disc. Dec. 17, 63. 

62. . Pr. Corp. wd. Spottyslvania, m. o. 



ROSTER 



325 



■"" Name 

Richards, Mayberry . 

Roberts, Eli 

Roberts, Oscar E 

Robertson, Samuel N. 

Rowell, Elbridge W... 
Sanford, Benjamin O. 
Staples, William L. 
Strattard, John . . 
Tenney, Leonard. . 

Turner, Abial 

Ware, Jason 

Ware, Jabe7. G. . . 
Ward, Benjamin F 
Watts, Daniel F.. . 
Wentworth, Fr'klin M 
Wellington, John M. 
Whitney, Hezekiah. 
Whitney, Mark L.. . 
Wilson, Erastus T. 
Witham, John Jr. . 
Young, Thomas J.. . 



Age Residence Must 

U.S. 

.20. .Lincolnville. . . .Aug. 

.21. .Brooks Aug. 

.19. .Brooks Aug. 

37.. Monroe Aug. 

. 32 . . Montville Aug. 

.18.. Montville Aug. 

.19.. Monroe Aug. 

.31.. Monroe Aug. 

.36.. Northport .... Aug. 

.32. .Palermo Aug. 

.25.. Northport .... Aug. 
.18. .Northport . . . .Aug. 

.26. .Thomdike Aug. 

.24. .Montville Aug. 

.18. .Searsmont Aug. 

.32. .Montville Aug. 

.26.. Lincolnville . . . .Aug. 
.18. .Lincolnville. . . .Aug. 

.22. .Searsmont Aug. 

.28. .Palermo Aug. 

. 29 . . Lincolnville .... Aug. 



ERED INTO Remarks 

Service 
2S,'62..M. o. 

25, '62. .Disc. Dec. 31, '62. 
25,'62. .Tr. V. R. C. May 24, '64. 
25, '62. . Pr. Corp. wd. Wilderness and Strawberry 

disch.June 19, '65. 
25, '62. . Wd. died in reg'tl. hosp. March 3, '63. 
25, '62. . Wd. Wilderness, absent at m. o. 
25, '62. .Died Apr. 5, '63. 
25, '62. .Disc. Mch. 17, '63. 
25, '62. .Disc. Dec. 28, "63. 

25, '62. .Pr. Corp. wd. Gettysburg, absent at m.o. 
25, '62. . Wd. Wilderness, disc. Feb. 27, '65. 
25, '62. .Tr. V. R. C. Nov. 15, '63. 
25, '62. . Wd. Spottyslvania, m. o. 
25, '62.. Died May 2, '63. 
25, '62. .Disc. Feb. 28, '63. 
25,'62 . . Pr. Corp. tr. V. R. C. Sept. 30, '64. 
2S,|62. .Tr. V. R. C. Aug. 1, '63. 
25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, absent at m. o. 
2 5, '62. . Wd. Jerusalem Plank Road, m. o. 
25, '62.. Disc. Feb. 26, '63. 
2S,'62. .Tr. U. S. navy Feb. 15, '64. 



RECRUITS AND CONSCRIPTS WHO JOINED COMPANY SUBSEQUENT TO ITS ORGANIZAI 

Batchelder, Edgar S. .23. .Garland Aug. 15, '63. .Cons. wd. Spottsylvania, tr. 1st. H. A. 

Brown, Jeremiah Jr.. . . 19 . .Cornville Aug. 15, '63. .Cons. disc. Dec. 1 1, '63. 

Chandler, Charles A.. . . 25 . . Winthrop July, 18, '63.. Cons, died July 2, '64 of wds. rec'd, at Jeru 

Plank Road. 

Clark, George M Bangor May 16,'64. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

Collins, William 28. .Portland Aug. 17, '63. .Cons. disc. Jan. 11, '64. 

Dillman, Joseph 30. .Portland Sept. 21, '63. .Cons. tr. to navy, Apr. 16, '64. 

Dore, Henry A 28. .Harmony Aug. 1 1,'63. .Cons, taken pris. on march to Auburn, Va 

13, died Annapolis, Md. Nov. 25, '63. 

Dwinell, George W 19.. Portland Aug. 14,'63. .Cons. wd. Totopotomoy, tr. 1st. H. A. 

Frizzell, Henry G 18. .Augusta July 22, '63. .Cons. tr. V. R. C. May 1, '64. 

French, Charles F 18. .Augusta July 18, '63. .Cons. wd. Spottsylvania, tr. 1st. H. A. 

Getchell, Elisha B. . . .29. .Augusta July 16, '63. .Cons. tr. U. S. navy Feb. 15, '64. 

Gross, Charles 18. .Augusta July 16, '63. .Cons. det. as mus. tr. 1st. H. A. 

Hall, Adoniram 24. . Damariscotta .July 18, '63. .Cons. pris. Reams' Station, tr. 1st. H. A. 

Hatch, Benjamin C. . .30. .Lewiston July 16, '63. .Cons. disc. Jan. 30, '64. 

Hannon, William A.. . .19. .Liberty Jan. 18, '64. . Wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st H. A. 

Hewett, Isaac S 18.. Madison Oct. 6,'64. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

Henderson, Irad M. . . .23. .Lincolnville. . . .Sept. 1,'63. .Cons. wd. Mine Run, m. o. 

Hinkley, Calvin B. . . .26. .Norridgewock. .July 21, '63. .Cons. pr. sergt. 2d. lieut. 1st. lieut. capt. 

Howe, William P 30. .Dixmont Aug. 13, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 

Hutchinson, James H. 20. .Lewiston Dec. 3, '63. . Wd. Petersburg, disc. Dec. 23, '64. 

Jordan, Joseph 25. .Webster Sept. 19, '64. .Tr. 1st. H. A. Nov. 2, '64. 

Jewell, Charles F 26.. Dixmont Aug. 13, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, pris. Hatcher's 

disch. June 16, '65. 

King, David 22. .Bangor Sept. 22, '63. .Cons, disch. May 22, '65. 

Knowlton, Thomas. .. .40. .Swanville ....Feb. 13,'65. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

Lemare, Narcisse 20. .Lewiston Aug. 17, '63. .Cons. des. Sept. 9, '63, arrested, sentenc 

Dry Tortugas. disc. Jan. 13, '66. 

Marr, John 20. .Portland Aug. 7, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, tr. V. R. C. 

Marston, Charles L. ... 18. .Augusta Mch. 5, '64. .Mus. tr. 1st. H. A. 

Murphy, Jeremiah . . . .42. .Portland Aug. 17, '63. .Cons. disc. Dec. 14, '63. 

Montine, Charles 30. .Portland Tuly 30,'64. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

Page, Oscar E 18. .Camden Feb. 16,'65. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

Perkins, Frank 21. .Athens July 20, '63. .Cons. tr. V. R. C. Feb. 11, '65. 

Prescott, Charles H.. . .21 . .Newburg Aug. 13, '63. .Cons. wd. Totopotomoy, died May 17, "65. 

Rice, John 20. .Damariscotta .Aug. 13, '63. .Cons, died Aug. 8, '64, at Augusta, Me., of 

received at Cold Harbor. 

Rose, Sylvanus C 33 . . Bradley Aug. 13, '63. .Cons, disch. June 8, '65. 

Russell, Jason C 27. .Bangor Aug. 15, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 

Sanborn, Edwin 18. .Monroe Dec. 11, '63. .Pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. 1st. H. A. 

Shaw, Walter B 25. .Vassalboro . . . .July 16, '63. .Cons. pr. corp. wd. Soottslyvania, disc. ' 

24, '65. 

Small, Jeremiah 40. .Swanville Feb. 13, '65. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

Smith, William T 33. .Hampden Aug. 12, '63. .Cons. tr. to navy Apr. 16, '64. 

Smith, Edwin 23. .Newburg Aug. 13, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, disc. Mch. 6, '65. 

Small, William H. H.. . 23 . .Lewiston July 15, '63. .Cons. corp. wd. Bristoe Station, tr. 1st. H .- 

Staples, Albert 27. .Newburg Aug. 13, '63. .Cons, died Stevensburg, Va. Dec. 22, '63. 



326 



THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 



Name 

Stowell, Asa V. . . 
Thomas, Rufus C. 

Waltz, Loran , 

Wood, Franklin A. 
Wood. William H. 



Age Residence Mustered into 



Remarks 



U. S. Service 

.30. .Mt. Vernon Aug. 8, '63. .Cons. disc. Apr. 15, '64. 

.18. .Camden Feb. 16,'6S. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

.26. .Nobleboro July 18, '63. .Cons. wd. Spottsylvania, tr. 1st. H. A. 

.32. .Belfast Aug. 6, '63. .Cons, killed, Bristoe Station Oct. 14, '63. 

.30. .Belfast Aug. 6, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 



SOLDIERS TRANSFERRED TO COMPANY FROM FOURTH. MAINE REGIMENT JUNE 15, 1864. 

Call, Benjamin F 22. .Bangor Aug. 18, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 

Carver, Edwin W 27. .Rockland Aug. 18, '62. . Wd. Fredericksburg, absent at m. o. 

Chase, William P 19. .Lincoln Aug. 8, '63.. Cons. tr. V. R. C. Sept. 30, '64. 

Chase, Edward L 33. .Portland Dec. 30, '63. .Died of wds. July 16, '64. 

Clay, Abijah N 36. .Bangor Aug. 24, '63. .Cons, killed Reams' Station Aug. 25, '64. 

.Lewiston Aug. 26, '63. .Cons, died Nov. 3, '64, buried at City Point, Va . 

.Corinth Aug. 25, '63. .Cons. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. 1st. H. A . 

.Bangor Sept. 1,'63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, disc. Mch. 20, '65. 

18. .Bradford Aug. 29, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 

.28. .Orono Aug. 22, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st. H. A. 

.23. .Amherst Aug. 12, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, disc. Feb. 28, '65. 

.19. .Belfast Nov. 18,'63..Wd. disch. May 20, '65. 

.18. .Stockton Jan. 1,'64. . Color-sergt. pr. 2d. lieut. Co. B. m. o. 

.44. . Brooks Jan. 2, '64. . Pris. Reams' Station, no further record. 

4,'63..Tr. 1st. H. A. 

1,'64. .Vet. sergt. wd. Jerusalem Plank Road. 

4,'63,.Wd. tr. 1st. H. A. 

7, '63. . Des. May 4, '64, never joined company. 

1,'64. .Vet. Corp. tr. 1st. H. A. 

3, '61. . Wd, Wilderness, disch. exp. of serv. 

2,'63..Wd. disc. Oct. 5, '64. 

Bangor Aug. 25, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, disc. Mch. 20, '65. 

■ Thomaston .. .Sept.l9, '61. .Wd. Manassas pris., Gettysburg, died Anderson- 

ville June 10, '64. 

Sylvester, William F.. . .25. .Casco Dec. 30, '63. .Pris. Wilderness, never joined company. 

Thomas, Winslow W.. . .21. .Rockland Aug. 2 5, '62. . Abs. sick,_never joined company. 

Taylor, George F. . ^ .. 



Dana, Daniel 21. 

Dexter, Judson W. ... 19 . 

Drake, George 19 . 

Elden, John 18. 

Estes, David 

Fields, George W 

Forbes, Freeman A. . 
Gray, Clarendon W. . 

Gi-over, Navard 

Heal, Thomas J 

Hopkins, Charles W. . 

Tackson, John A 

Metcalf, Fred H 

Norris, Daniel C 

Philbrook, Levi A. . . 

Rich, Israel T 

Robinson, Ezbelon. . . 
Snowdeal, Thomas E. 



..18. .Belfast Dec. 

. . 24 . . Jefferson Jan. 

. .21. .Belfast Dec. 

..21.. Lincolnville .... Dec. 

. .27. .Rockland Jan. 

. .22. .Augusta Sept. 

. .44. .Jackson Dec. 

..27. ~ 
. .21. 



Turner, Charles A. . 
Ulmer, Alonzo N. . , 
Wellman, Charles F. 



. .29. .Gardiner Jan. 1,'64. .Vet. wd. Spottsylvania, tr. V. R. C. never joined 

company. 
, . .21 . .North Haven .Aug. 15, '62. . Wd. Wilderness, never joined company. 

.. 2 1 .. Rockland Aug. 27,'61..Wd. Gettysburg, disch. Sept. 2, '64, term exp. 

. .18. .Brooks Dec. 4,'63..Tr. 1st. H. A. 



SOLDIERS WHO JOINED COMPANY FROM FIFTH COMPANY UNASSIGNED INFANTRY IN 

NOVEMBER 1864. 



Bamise, Thomas. . . 
Casey, Thomas . . . . 
Chapman, Alvin L. . 

Dunn, James 

Hewitt, Isaac S. . . . 
Maxmilian, Jacob . . 

Morey, Vetal 

Potter, Thomas A.. 
Thomas. Albert. . . . 
Wescott, Joseph D.. 
Whittier, Nathaniel 
Wescott, Willis . . . 



.. .37. 
...22. 
.. .43. 
.. .25. 
.. .18. 
. . .24. 
. . .23. 
...20. 
. . .18. 
.. .27. 
B. 19. 
. ..18. 



. Skowhegan . . . Oct. 

.Whitefield Oct. 

. Starks Oct. 

.Whitefield Oct. 

.Madison Oct. 

.Limerick Oct. 

.Anson Oct. 

.Clinton Oct. 

. Limerick Oct. 

.Athens Oct. 

.Madison Oct. 

.Embden Oct. 



5,'64. . Wd. Nov. 14, '64, tr. 1st. H. A. 

S.'64..Tr. 1st. H. A. 

5, '64. . Wd. Boydton Road, disc, July 4, '65. 

S,'64..Tr. 1st. H. A. 

5, '64. .Abs. sick at m. o. 

5, '64. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

5, '64. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

5, '64. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

5,'64. . Wd. Oct. 8, '64, tr. 1st. H. A. 

5, '64. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

5, '64. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

5,'64..Tr. 1st. H. A. 



Company C. 



SOLDIERS WHO VOLUNTEERED AND JOINED COMPANY AT ITS ORGANIZATION 



Albion Whitten 
George Dunbar. 

Francis H. Foss. . . . 

Henry W. Nye 

Eugene A. Boulter . 

Lyman B. Kimball. 
William H. Emery . , 



....35 
....24 

...25. 
.. .20. 
...24. 



SERGEANTS 



.Troy .A.ug. 25, '62. 

.Fairfield Aug. 25, '62. 



. Fairfield . 
. Fairfield . 



.Aug. 2 5, '62. 
.Aug. 25, '62. 



George H. Huntress ...21. 
Gersham F. Tarbell . . .20 
Lindley H. Whittaker .21. 



Pr. 2d and 1st lieut. 

Pr. 1st sergt. wd. Gettysburg, red. disc. Feb., 6 

'65. 
Pr. 2d lieut. wd. Gettysburg. 
Wd. Gettysburg and Spottsylvania, pr. 2d lieut. 

.Unity Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. 1st sergt. wd. Spottsylvania, disc. Feb. 2, '65 

CORPORALS 

.Clinton Aug. 25, '62. . Red. at own request, tr. V. R. C. 

.Fairfield Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. sergt. wd. Gettysburg and Wilderness, pr. 2d 

and 1st lieut. 

.Shapleigh Aug. 2 5, '62. . Died near Warrenton, typhoid fever July 26, '63. 

.Benton Aug. 25,'62..M. o. 

.Troy Aug. 2 5, '62. . Pr. sergt. wd. Gettysburg and Wilderness, disch 

June 16, '65. 



ROSTER 



327 



£S '^ Name 

Edward F. Tukey 21. 

George M. Cotton 20. 

George A. Osborn 20. 

Mollis S. Spearing 26 . 

Cross, Francis W 32 . 

Adams, John B 27 . 

Allen, Isaac 32 . 

Allen, Alfred P 18. 

Bagley. Sewell H 20. 

Bennett, Jason 42 . 

Bickmore, Mayo 18. 

Bowley, Chester 26 . 

Blethen, James L 18. 

Brann. Merrill IS. 

Burrell, Franklin 22 . 

Buzzell, Benjamin F. .27. 

Call, Frederick S 20. 

Chisam, Theodore 2S. 

Choate, Albert 28. 

Clough, Harrison T. ...21. 

Crosby, Abijah 37 . 

Crowell, Charles H 29. 

Daggett, Alanson W. .44 
Dodge, Charles H 24 



Emery, Henry 

Emery, Samuel 44 

Emerson, James D 23 

Erskine, Christopher. . .39 

Fogg, Eben S 19 

Garcelon, Edwin 21 

Gerrish, Increase B. ... 19 

Oilman, Lorenzo D 20 

Giles, Eli 24, 

Glidden, Franklin W. . . 2 1 
Goodwin, Charles C. Jr. 24, 

Goodwin, Henry C 20. 

Gray, Russell B 30 

Green, James R 21 

Greenleaf Benjamin W. 22 

Hall. John S 35 

Harrington, Myron C. . 18 

Haskell, Joseph E 18. 

Hodgdon. George E.. . . 35 

Jones, Charles W 21 

Lewis, Jonathan 28 

Lewis, William E 19 

Lewis, Milford T 2 5 

Libby, Nathaniel P. . . .20 
Lord, Alexander W. . . .35 

Maxim, Sullivan A 21 

Mayo, Oscar F 21 

Merrick. James L 18 

McDonald, Charles H. .33 

Mclntire, Ezra F 25 

McManners, Daniel A. 2 7 

Morrill, William H 28 

Nichols, Alphonzo 21 

Oliver, James M 38 

Palmer," Silas 28 

Phinney, Thomas F.. . . 20 
Pierce, John G 24 

Plummer, Myrick 21 

Pratt, Elbridge P 21 

Pulsifer, Henry H 21 

Reed, Thomas 35 

Reynolds, Josiah K.. . .34 

Rhoades, Reuben 20 

Sanborn, Daniel 33 

Sawyer, Byron P 19 

Shaw, Johnson 28 



Age Residence Mustered into Remarks 

U. S. Service 

.Fairfield Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Nov. 24, '62. 

.Fairfield Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. sergt. m. o. 

.Fairfield Aug. 25, '62. .Wd. Wilderness, m. o. 

MUSICIANS 

.Benton Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. May 17, '63. 

.Bowdoinham ..Aug. 25,'62. . Reptd. as des. Nov. IS, '62. 
PRIVATES 

.Bowdoin Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, in hosp. at m. o. 

.Bowdoin Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Feb. 20, '63. 

.Fairfield Aug. 25,'62. . Pr. corp, died Feb. 14, '65. 

.Troy Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Jan. 21, '63. 

.Unity Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. March 6, '63. 

.Troy Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Spottsylvania, m. o. 

.Troy Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Mch. 12, '63. 

.Unity Aug. 25,'62..Wd. Gettysburg tr. V. R. C. Mch. 12, '64. 

. Whitefield Aug. 25, '62. . In hosp. at m. o. 

.Fairfield Aug. 25, '62. . Det. in ambulance corps, m. o. 

.Benton Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Wilderness, m. o. 

.Richmond Aug. 25, '62. .Wd. Gettysburg, died Aug. 25, '63. 

.Unitv Aug. 25, '62. .Sick in hosp. at m. o. 

.Unity Aug. 25, '62. .Det. in arty, brigade disch. June 21, '65. 

.St. Albans Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Wilderness pr. corp, m. o. 

' ^ ' ^ Wd. Gettysburg, died July S, '63. 

Died in Washington Oct. 9, '62. 

Disc. Nov. IS, '62. 

Pr. hosp. steward. 

Fairfield Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, in hosp. at m. o. 

.Fairfield Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Apr. 24, '63. 

.Madison Aug. 25, '62. .Det. as div. pioneer, m. o. 

.Whitefield Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. corp., killed, Gettysburg. 

.Fairfield Aug. 25,'62..Tr. V. R.C.July 27, '63. 

Det. in ambulance corps, disch. June 6, 

Died Dec. 27, '62. 

Wd. Gettysburg, disc. Dec. 26, '63. 

Correct name EHasChilds, des. June 29, '63. 



.Benton Aug. 25, '62. 

.Winslow Aug. 25, '62. 

.Starks Aug. 25, 62 

.Freedom Aug. 25, '62. 



.Troy Aug. 25, '62 

.Troy Aug. 25, '62 

.Unitv Aug. 25, '62 

.Unity Aug. 25, '62 

.Whitefield Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Aug. 6, '63 

.Dresden Aug. 25, '62. .Det. in arty, brig., m 

.Dresden Aug. 25, '62, 

.Fairfield Aug. 25. '62 

.Richmond Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Jan. 1, '63 

.Starks Aug. 2S,'62..Tr. V. R. C. Oct. 1, '63. 

Fairfield Aug. 25, '62 

China Aug. 25, '62 



'65. 



Det. in arty, brig., disc. Mch. 27, '65. 
Pr. sergt., wd. Spottsylvania, m. o. 



Brig, saddler, m. o. 

Died Bolivar, Va., Oct. 12, '62. 

Fairfield Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, tr. V. R. C. Jan. IS, '64. 

Trov Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, died Aug. 24, '63. 

Thorndike Aug. 2 5 '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, m. o. 

Clinton Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, reptd. a des. at m. o. 

Fairfield Aug. 2 5, '62. .Det. as teamster, m. o. 

Fairfield Aug. 25, '62. .Des. July IS, '63. 

Unity Aug. 25, '62. .M. o. 

Pr. sergt., killed, Gettysburg. 

Wd. Gettysburg, pr. corp. m. o. 

Pr. corp. m. o. 

Disc. Jan. 20, '63. 

M. o. 

Pr. corp. wd. Cold Harbor, disch. June 12, '( 

Disc. Mch. 15, '63. 

Det. as teamster with q. m. disch. June 12, '65 

Pr. 1st sergt., wd. Cold Harbor, m. o. 



.Fairfield Aug. 25, '62 

.St. Albans Aug. 25, '62 

.Fairfield Aug. 25, '62 

.Troy Aug. 25, '62 

.Madison Aug. 25, '62 

.Fairfield Aug. 25, '62 

.Unity Aug. 25, '62 

. Benton Aug. 25, '62 

.Fairfield Aug. 25, '62 

.Fairfield Aug. 25,'62. .Tr. V. R. C. Dec. 10, '63. 

.Unity Aug. 25, '62. .Died Feb. 10, '63. 

.Unity Aug. 2 5, '62. .Det. in arty. brig. m. o. 

.Clinton Aug. 25, '62. .Det. in Arty, brig., pris 

June 12, '65. 

.Whitefield Aug. 2S,'62..M. o. 

.Fairfield Aug. 25, '62. .Killed, Gettysburg. 

. New Sharon . . .Aug. 25, '62. . Disc. Jan. 4, '63. 

.Richmond Aug. 2 5, '62. .M. o. 

.Unity Aug. 25, '62. .Sick in hosp. disch. June 21, '65. 

.Troy Aug. 25, '62. . Abs. sick at m. o. 

.Fairfield Aug. 25, '62. .Abs. sick at m. o. 

.Troy Aug. 2 5, '62 .. Disc. July 24, '63. 

.Troy Aug. 2 5, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, amputation of foot, disc 

Feb. 8, '65. 



Spottsylvania, disc 



328 



THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 



Name 

Sinclair, David. . . . 

Snell, Cyrus F 

Spaulding, John. . . 
Spaulding, William . 
Thompson, Gustavus 
Tibbetts, George W. 

Usher, Orrin S 

Webb, Reuben R.. . 
Whitten, Richard . . 
Whitten, Randall K 
Whitten, Darius. . . . 
Woodman, Alfred . . 
Woodward, Joseph G 



Age Residence Mustered into 
U. S. Service 

. .33. .Fairfield Aug. 2S,'62..M. o 

. .18. .Madison Aug. 25, '62 

..41. .Benton Aug. 25, '62 

. . 42 . . Benton Aug. 25, '62 

L. 21. Fairfield Aug. 25, '62 



Remarks 



Pr. Corp. wd. Wilderness, died of wds. Junel2,'64 
Tr. V. R. C. May 27, '64. 
Wd. Gettysburg, m. o. 
Pr, Corp. killed, Gettysburg. 



.30. .Unity Aug. 2 5, '62. .Det. in arty. brig. m. o. 

. .18. .Albion Aug. 2 5, '62. .Sick in hosp. disch. May 31, '65. 

. .30. .Unity Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, m. o. 

. .27. .Unity Aug. 2 5, '62. . Pr. corp. disc. Jan. 2, '65 

.32.. Unity Aug. 25, '62 

..36.. Unity Aug. 25, '62 

. .21. .Troy Aug. 25, '62 

. .23. .Troy Aug. 25, '62 



Det. in arty, brig 

Disc. Apr. 9, '63. 

Sick in hosp. disch. May 29, '65. 

Killed, Gettysburg. 



RECRUITS AND CONSCRIPTS WrIO JOINED 

Amo, James G 27. .Detroit Aug. 

Barnes, John W 22 

Bartlett, America F 22 

21 

44 

29 

26 



Bessey, Oliver B. 

Bennett, Amos 

Blaisdell, Thomas B 

Chase, Cyrus 

Chamberlain, Orrin W. 33. 
Cleaveland, Moses S. . .23 

Cochran, Riley 25 

Cunningham, Warren. .20 



.Dedham Aug 

. Forestville Sept. 

.Fairfield Aug. 

.Montville Dec. 

.Milo Aug. 

.Westfield Aug. 

.Fairfield Aug. 

.Fairfield Aug. 

.Fairfield Aug. 

. Wiscasset Aug, 



Cunningham David E. . 2 1 . . Bradford Sept. 

Decker, Hiram S 21. .Belfast Mch. 

Delmage, John J ■. . 27 . .Lewiston Aug. 

Downs, Calvin G 33. .Detroit Aug. 

Downs, George S 21 . .Augusta June 

Flanders, James H 31 . .Garland Sept. 

Foster, William W 29. .Fairfield Aug. 

Ford, George H 21 . .Montville Feb. 

Frillon, Richard D 21 . . Bridgewater . . .Sept. 

Gray, Albert J 18. .Fairfield Aug. 

Hatch, George M 18. .Lewiston Dec. 

Hoxie, Nathan D 24. .Detroit Aug. 

Huse, Reuben A 32 . . Mapleton Sept. 



COMPANY SUBSEQUENT TO ITS ORGANIZATION 

17, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st H. A. 

18, '63. .Cons. pris. Reams' Station, tr. 1st H. A. 

21, '63. .Cons. disc. Jan. 2.1, '64. 

17, '63. .Cons. wd. North Anna, tr. 1st H. A. 

8, '63. .Disc. Jan. 11, '65. 
21, '63. . Cons. wd. Wilderness, disch. June 8, '65. 

5, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st H. A. 
18, '63. .Cons. disc. Feb. 8, '65. 
17, '63. .Cons. disc. Jan. 20, '64. 
18, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st H. A. 

1, '63.. Cons. tr. V. R. C. Feb. 11. '64. 

2, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st H. A. 

4, '65. .Tr. 1st H. A. 
10, '63. .Cons. des. Nov. 26, '63. 
18, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st H. A. 

5, '64. .Tr. 1st H. A. 

1,'63. .Cons. pris. Reams' Station, died Nov. 27, '64. 
18, '63. .Cons, disch. June 7, '65. 
27, '64. .Died, June 17, '64. 

1 ,'63 . . Cons, died Nov. 24, '63. 
18, '63. .Cons. wd.Jerusalem Plank Rd., died July 27, '64. 

9, '63. .Disch. Apr. 26, '64. 
18, '63. .Cons. wd. Spottyslvania, tr. 1st H. A. 
21, '63. .Cons. pr. corp. wd. Spottsylvonia, tr. V. R. C. 

Oct. 7, '64. 
19, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st H. A. 
10, '63. .Cons, killed, Jerusalem Plank Road. 

7, '63.. Sub. disch. Apr. 26, '64. 
21, '64. .Disch. June 8, '65. 
18, '63. .Cons, died Jan. 12, '64. 
18, '63. . Cons. wd. Spottsylvania, tr. 1st H. A. 
13, '63. . Des. Aug. 19, '63, never joined co. 

4, '63. .Cons, disch. June 9, '65. 

6, '63. .Cons, mortally wd. Cold Harbor, died 
June 4, '64. 

5, '63.. Cons, killed, Spottsylvania. 
18, '63 . . Cons. wd. Wilderness.tr. 1st H. A. 
13, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st H. A. 
17, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st H. A. 
23, '63. .Cons. tr. V. R. C. 
27, '64. .Killed, Jerusalem Plank Road. 
15, '63. .Cons, killed. Wilderness. 

3, '63. .Cons. disc. Dec. 17, '63. 

7, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st H. A. 

7, '63. .Cons. wd. Cold Harbor, died from wds. 
June 19, '64. 
10, '63. . Missing Bristoe Station, never heard from, 
reptd. des. 

6, '63. .Cons. abs. sick, disch. June IS, '65. 

6, '63.. Cons, disch. June 15, '65. 
18, '63. .Cons. abs. sick, disch June 7, '65. 
18, '63. .Cons. disc. July 14, '64. 

l,'65..Tr. 1st H. A. 
18, '63. .Cons, died Dec. 4, '63. 

SOLDIERS TRANSFERRED TO COMPANY FROM FOURTH MAINE REGIMENT JUNE 15. 1364. 

Ames, William H 27. .Plymouth Dec. 23, '63. .Vet. wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st H. A. 

Brown, James H 24.. Belfast Aug. 21, '63. .Sub. wd. Spottsylvania, tr. 1st H. A. 

Bruce, Samuel T 27. .Montville Aug. 20, '63. .Sub. wd. Cold Harbor, June 5. tr. 1st H.A. 



Judkins, Henry 

Keen, Alfred 

Knights, Alfred W. . . 

Lamphen, Alfred 

Lawrence, Hiram 

Manter, Charles 

Merrill, William L. . . . 

Norton, Edwin M 

Plummer, Aaron C. . . 

Plummer, Asa 

Ramsdell, Seth W 

Richardson, Rufus . . . 
Richardson. Martin. . . 

Rowe, Charles A 

Sargent, Orrin 

Shepherd, Richard A. 
Sullivan, James G. . . . 
St. Clair, Don Carlos. 
Titus, Olney W 



.32. .Athens Aug. 

.23. .Canaan Aug. 

.19.. Gardiner Aug. 

.18. .Portland Mch. 

.31. .Fairfield Aug. 

.21.. Anson Aug. 

.21. .Bath Aug. 

.18. .Waltham Sept. 

.25. .Belfast Aug. 

.22. .Augusta Aug. 

.20. .Porter Aug. 

.20.. Lewiston Aug. 

.18.. Lewiston Aug. 

.20. .Eddington Sept. 

.18. .Montville Feb. 

.21.. Waterville Aug. 

.26. .Anson Aug. 

24 . . Brewer Aug. 

.26. .Dexter Aug. 



Welch, Sullivan M 18. .Clinton Aug. 



White, William W 22. 

Wilcox, William J 31. 

Williams, Francis L 28 . 

Williams, Charles S. . .31. 
Woodbury. Edward C..24. 
York, Ephraim A 25. 



.Bangor Aug. 

.Mapleton Aug. 

.Madison Aug. 

. Norridgewock. . Aug. 

.Belfast Mch. 

.Fairfield Aug. 



ROSTER 



329 



Name Age Residence Must 

U. S 
Carter, Preston J 18 . . Belfast Feb. 



Campbell, Thomas B 
Cunningham, Austin. . 

Davis, Henry A.. . . 

Douglass, Asa 

Folsom, Albert F.. 
Grover, Albert. . . . 
Harlow, Nathan B. 

Hall, Stephen 

Ham, John H 

Higgins, John L. . . 

Howe, David 

Hubbard, Moses H. 
Hughey, David. . . . 
Hurd, George F.. . . 
Jackson, Seth W.. . 

Larvin, Frank 

Lambert, Jonas B. 

Lamb, Samuel 

Lopez, Antonio. . . . 
Murphy, Alvin. . . . 

Omao, Monga 

Percy, Leonard . . . 
Russ, Robert F.. . . 
Sanborn, John. . . . 

Smith, Otto 

Stevens, Edmund, Jr 

Wade, Edwin 

Wentworth, James P. 



. 28 . . Thomaston .... Mch. 
. 19. .Warren Mch. 

.20. .Unity Sept. 

.33. .Unity Aug. 

.21.. Greenbush Aug. 

. 18 . . Brooks Dec. 

.28. .Auburn Sept. 

.44. .Portland Dec. 

.21.. Bangor Aug. 

.36 . .Webster Sept. 

.27.. Skowhegan .... Aug. 

. 30. . Bangor Aug. 

.21.. Bangor Aug. 

. 19 . . Bangor Aug. 

. 43 . . Lewiston Aug. 

.18.. Lewiston Aug. 

.20. .Augusta Sept. 

. 21 . .Lowell Aug. 

.24. .Portland Aug. 

.18. .Portland Sept. 

.21. .Brandy, Va. .. .Dec. 

.26. .Woolwich Sept. 

.22. .Belfast Aug. 

.28. .Belfast Aug. 

.21. .Belfast Aug. 

.23. .Belfast Aug. 

.18. .Belfast Sept. 

.25.. Rockland Mch. 



ERED INTO Remarks 

Service 
19, '62. . Pr. and det. as color sergt., killed Jerusalem 

Plank Road. 
14,'64..Pr. 2d. lieut. Co. L 
14, '64. .Vet. pris. Gettysburg, wd. Ft. Haskell, Nov.2i 

"64, tr. 1st H. A. 
10,'61 . . Disch. Sept. 19, '64, term exp. 
21, '63. .Sub. wd. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. 1st H. A 
21, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st H. A. 
31, '63. . Wd. Jerusalem Plank Road. tr. 1st H. A. 

1,'63. .Cons. wd. Cold Harbor June 5. 

3, '63. .Died June. 10, '65. 
10, '63. .Cons. wd. Totopotomoy, tr. 1st H. A. 

1,'63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st H. A. 
17, '63. .Cons. wd. Spottsylvania, tr. 1st H. A, 
20. '63. .Cons. tr. to Co. E. 

9, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st H. A. 
24, '63. .Cons. wd. Spottsylvania, died Oct. 4, '64. 
29, '63. .Cons, died Oct. 4, '64. 
28, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st H. A. 
10, '63. .Cons, reptd. pris. at m. o. 
29, '63. .Cons, died June 17, '64. 
19, '63. .Sub. wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st H. A. 

2. '63. .Cons. tr. to Co. E. 
23, '63. .Tr. V. R. C, no record in Fourth Maine. 

2, '63.. Sub. tr. 1st H. A. 
18, '63. .Sub. tr. to Co. F. 
24, '63. .Sub. tr. 1st H. A. 
24, '63. .Sub.tr. 1st H. A. 
24, '63. .Sub. wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st H. A. 

7,'61 . . Disch. Oct. 4, '64, term exp. 
25, '62. . Wd. Wilderness, disch., Apr. 6, '65. 



SOLDIERS WHO JOINED COMPANY FROM FIFTH COMPANY UNASSIGNED INFANTE 

IN NOVEMBER, 1864 

Cole, John, Jr 19. .Anson Oct. S,'64. .Tr. 1st H. A. 

Moore, John G 19. .Anson Oct. 5, '64. .Tr. 1st .H A. 

Penney, Everett A 18. .Waterville Oct. 5, '64. .Tr. 1st H. A. 

COMPA.NY D. 

SOLDIERS WHO VOLUNTEERED AND JOINED THE COMPANY .^T ITS ORGANIZ.ATION 
A SERGEANTS ,3 ■9 ? ^^ ' <* ■. 

.25. .Belfast .Aug. 2 5, '62. . Pr. 2d. lieut. Co. B. wd. Gettysburg, died of w 

July 13, '63. 

.27.. Belfast Aug. 2S,'62..Pr. 2d. and 1st. lieut. Co. B. and capt. Co. 

.21. .Belfast Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, disc. Nov. 12, '63. 

.18. .Belfast Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. 1st. sergt. 2d. lieut. 1st. lieut. and Capt. 

.21 . .Pittston Aug. 2 5, '62. . Pr. capt. Co. E. 

CORPORALS 



Leroy S. Scott 

Ansel L. White . . . . 
George L. Starkey 
Elbridge C. Pierce 
Asbury C. Richards 



John F. Frost 



.25. .Belfast Aug. 25, '62. 



Jerusalem Plank Road, dis 



John Merriam 


.32. 


Robert T. Newell 


.24. 


Edgar Paul 


.21. 


Jacob N. Cunningham 


21. 


Ralph Johnson 


.27. 


Henry A. Pierce 


.21. 


John A. Lord 


.19. 


John N. Moore 


.19. 


Henry Mcintosh . . . . 


.44. 


Bean, James 


.24. 


Beckwith, Silas 


.21 . 


Blodgett, Joshua W. . 


.18. 


Brown, Jonathan M. . 


.21. 


Brown, James C 


.44. 


Buckling, William D.. 


.27. 


Burd, Samuel F 


.30. 


Byard, Henry D 


.30. 


Campbell, Annas S. . . 


.29. 



.Morrill Aug. 25, '62 

.Belfast Aug. 25, '62 

. Belfast Aug. 25, '62 

.Waldo Aug. 25, '62 

.Belfast Aug. 25, '62 



Pr. sergt. pris. 
June 12, '64. 
Wd. Gettysburg, died Aug. 25, '63. 
Wd. Gettysburg, died July 9, '63. 
Red. tr. V. R. C. Nov. 15, '63. 
Red. det. in arty. brig. m. o. 
Pr. 1st. sergt. wd. and missg. Wilderness, S' 
posed to have been killed. 

Belfast Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Jan. 26, '63. 

Belfast Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. sergt. 2d. lieut. 1st. lieut. and Capt. 

MUSICIANS 

Belfast Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Mch. 18, '63. 

Vinalhaven ...Aug. 25,'62 . .Sick in hosp. tr. V. R. C. Dec. 27, '64. 

PRIVATES , 

Belmont Aug. 25, '62. . Det. arty. brig. pris. Reams' Station, died Sa 

bury prison, Jan. 15, '65. 
M. o. 

Died Dec. 15, '63. 

Des. Sept. 23, '62. 

Wd. Gettysburg, disc. Mch. 24, '63. 

25, '62. .Disc. July 14, '64. 

25, '62. .Disc. Jan. 19. '63. 



.Belfast Aug. 25, '62 

.Morrill Aug. 25, '62 

.Belfast Aug. 2 5, '62 

.Searsmont Aug. 25, '62 

.Waldo Aug 

ielfast Aug 



.Rockland Aug. 

.Belfast Aug. 



25. '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, in hosp. at m. o. 
25, '62. .Det. in prov. guard, m. o. 



330 



THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 



Name Ag 

Carter, John W 26 

Chandler. Josiah A. . . .28 

Chase, Elijah S 32 

Clements. Charles H. .21 

Coffin, Augustus 21 

Cooper, Charles F 18 

Cromwell, Jeremiah M. 24 
Cunmngham, Alden ..21 
Cunnmgham, Cornelius 38 

Curtis, Alden H 20 

Dean, Horace 18 

Eastman, Israel C. . . .21 
Eldridge, Richard G. .44 
Flanders, Richard F. .27 

Gray, John 44 

Hamilton, Charles R.. .21 
Hartshorn, Henry H.. .21 
Hartshorn, William H. 30 
Hatch, Gardner L. ...28 

Hatch. Barak A 21 

Haire, Roswell 39 

Hawkins, Ford S 18 

Hinds, Prescott D. ... 18 
Hoffses, Hiram B 21 

Hoffses, Lorenzo W.. . .27 
Hollis, Enoch Jr 30 

Hunt, Kingsbury 35 

Hunt, Lewis 27 

Kelley, Louira A 18 

Kendall, Waterman B. 44 
Knowlton, John C. ...34 
Knowlton, Elisha P.... 2 5 
Lear, Benjamin O. . . .25 

Lenfest, James 28 

Maker, Andrew R 20 

Mayo, Nelson N 21 

Michaels, George 27 

Mixer, Jackson 22, 

Murch, Charles A 21 , 

Nickerson, Jonathan S. 26 

Palmer, George W 18 

Page, George H 28 

Pease, Ithiel 35, 

Perham, Myrick 23 , 

Poor, Levi M 19. 

Powers, William T 23. 

Prescott, Franklin K...21 

Rackliff, Ezekiel 43 

Robbins, James 33 

Robbins. Emery 23 

Shaw, Alpheus 38 

Sherman. Bridges C. .. 28 
Smallv, Castanous M. . 18 
Thomas, Ezekiel R. . .19, 

Thomas, Hushai 44, 

Thomas, Hushai C 21. 

Tripp, Rufus 21 . 

Tufts, George F 21. 

Wales. John Jr 44 . 

Warren, Alphonzo R. . .21. 

Waterman, Alfred P. .18. 
Wentworth, Orlando F.19. 
Wentworth, Franklin A. 24. 
Wentworth, Franklin. .23. 
Wentworth Hollis M. . 23 . 
White, John A 20. 

White, James W 18 



E Residence Mustered into Remarks 

U. S. Service 
.Belfast Aug. 25, '62. .Det. as carpenter, m. o. 



.Morrill Aug. 25 

.Pittston Aug. 25 

.Knox Aug. 25 

.Thorndike Aug. 25 

.Belfast Aug. 25 

. Bowdoinham ..Aug. 25 

.Waldo Aug. 25 

.Belfast Aug. 25 

.Northport . . . .Aug. 2 5 

.Belfast Aug. 25 

.Belfast Aug. 25 

.Belfast Aug. 25 

.Belfast Aug. 25 

. Belmont Aug. 25 

.Swanville ....Aug. 25 

.Belfast Aug. 25 

.Belfast Aug. 25 

.Montville Aug. 25 

. Belmont Aug. 2 5 

.Belfast Aug. 25 

.Waldo Aug. 25 

.Belfast Aug. 25 

. Waldoboro . . . .Aug. 25 



.Waldoboro . . . .Aug. 
.Pittston Aug. 

.Pittston Aug. 

.Pittston Aug. 

.Belfast Aug. 

.Morrill Aug. 

.Montville Aug. 

. Swanville Aug. 

Northport ....Aug. 



.Swanville Aug. 25 

. Belfast Aug. 25 

.Belfast Aug. 25 

.Belfast Aug. 25 

.Belfast Aug. 25 

.Belfast Aug. 25 

.Belfast Aug. 25 

.Pittston Aug. 25 

.Warren Aug. 2 5, 

.Belfast Aug. 25, 

.Pittston Aug. 25, 

. Belmont Aug. 25, 

.Belfast Aug. 25, 

.Northport ....Aug. 25, 

.Rockland Aug. 25, 

.Belfast Aug. 25, 

.Belfast Aug. 2 5, 

.Belfast Aug. 25, 

.Liberty Aug. 25, 

.Belfast Aug. 25, 

.Morrill Aug. 2 5, 

.Morrill Aug. 25 

.Morrill Aug. 25, 

.Swanville Aug. 2 5, 

.Belfast Aug. 25, 

.Belfast Aug. 25, 

.Pittston Aug. 25, 

.Belfast Aug. 25, 

.Waldo Aug. 25, 

.Belfast Aug. 25, 

.Waldo Aug. 25, 

.Waldo Aug. 25, 

.Belfast Aug. 25, 



'62. .Disc. Dec. 30, '62. 

'62. .Det. as guard at hdqrs m. o. 

'62. . Wd. Gettysburg, tr. V. R. C. Jan. 1. '6S. 

'62. .Killed, North Anna. 

'62. . Pr. sergt. wd. North Anna, m. o. 

'62. . Wd. Strawberry Plains, in hosp. at m. o. 

'62. .Killed, Gettysburg. 

'62.. Tr. V. R. C. Feb. IS, '64. 

'62.. Died Feb. 13, '63. 

'62. .Wd. Gettysburg, in hosp. at m. o. 

'62. .Died Frederick City, Oct. 23, '62. 

'62. .Disc. Jan. 7, '63. 

'62. .Died Jan. 19, '63. 

'62. .Disc. Mch. 9, '64. 

'62. . Wd. Gettysburg, disc. Dec. 1, '64. 

'62. . Wd. Gettysburg, tr. V. R. C. 

'62. .M. o. 

'62.. Tr. V. R. C. July 3, '63. 

'62. . Wd. High Bridge, disc. May 30, '65. 

'62. . Wd. Gettysburg, died July 4, '63. 

'62. . Wd. North Anna, disc. Feb. 20, '65. 

'62. . Pr. corp. killed. North Anna. 

'62..Pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, died Anderson- 
ville Dec. 27, '64. 

'62. .Wd. Gettysburg, disc. Aug. 27. '64. 

'62.. Wd. Spottsylvania, pris. Reams' Station prison- 
er at m. o. 

'62.. Disc. Jan. 2d. '64. 

'62. .Died Dec. 1, '64. 

'62. .Killed, Gettysburg. 

'62.. Died on March Nov. 4, '62. 

'62. . Pr. corp. sergt. and com-sergt. disc. Mch. 30, '65 

'62.. M. o. 

'62. . Wd. Gettysburg, disch. June 23, '65. 

'62. . Pr. corp. tr. to navy. 

'62. .M. o. 

'62. . Pr. sergt. mortally wd. Wilderness, died Freder- 
icksburg, May 24, '64. 

'62. .Died Dec. 9, '62. 

'62. . Killed, Cold Harbor. 

'62. . Wd. Gettysburg, tr. V. R. C. 
62. .Pris. Nov. 5, '64 on picket, disch. May 15, '65. 

62. .M. o. 

62. . Pr. q. m. sergt. and 2d. lieut. Co. E. 

62. . Wd. Mch. 31, '65 in hosp. at m. o. 

62. .Pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, disch. June 12, '65. 

62.. Pr. corp. Pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, disch, 
June 12, '65. 

62. .Disc. Apr. 22, '63. 

62. . Det. as wagoner at brig, hdqrs. m. o. 
62. .M. o. 

62. .Killed, Gettysburg. 

62. .Det. as forage master, m. o. 

62.. Tr. V. R. C. Sept. 1, '63. 

62.. Tr. V. R. C. Feb. IS, '64. 

62.. M. o. 

62. . Wd. Bristoe Station, m. o. 

62..M.O. 

62. . Wd. Gettysburg, died July 21, '63. 

62. .M. o. 

62. . Pr. corp. wd. Gettysburg, killed Wilderness. 

62. .M. o. 

62. .Missg. Nov. 4, '62 on march from Upperville to 
Ashby's Gap, reptd. des. 

62.. Pr. corp. wd. Gettysburg, died July 4, '63. 

62. .Killed, Wilderness. 



.M. o. 



Det. in ambulance corps., m. o. 
Disc. Aug. 22, '63. 

Pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, died Anderson- 
ville, Oct. 1, '64. 
Belfast Aug. 2S,'62..M. o. 



ROSTER 



331 



Wyman, Frederick H. 

Young, John W 

Anderson, Chtnstian . 
Bohnn, Adolph 

Brown, Silas 

Brown, William J. 
Bonzey, Roland . . 
Brainard, Lucius H. 
Carney, Michael . . 
Carter, Joseph . . . 
Copeland, Samuel 
Cromwell, Oliver. . 

Crockett, Francis . 
Day, George H.. . . 
Dickey, Harry. . . . 
Dooley, Thomas . . 



.. .18. 
. . .19. 
. . .29. 
...26. 
...25. 
32. 



Donell, Oilman S. 
Eastman, Josiah N 
Gilbreth, Francis G 
Harvey, John . . . 
Huzzey, John . . . 
Higgins, Prince D 
Johnson, Sewell H 

Jones, John 

Jose, James H. . . 

King, John 

Kimball, Daniel . 
Ludes, Charles. . . 
Maker, Edward H 
Mahew, Vinal S. 
Moore, John S. . . 
Moody, William F 
Morrison, John . . 
Peterson, Orrin I. 
Peterson, Peter . 
Raymond, Elbridge G.. 26 
Robinson, Arthur W. . . 19 



.21. 
.25. 
.18. 
15 



.19. 
.32. 
.22. 



RECRUITS AND CONSCRIPTS WHO JOINED COMPANY SUBSEQUENT TO ITS ORGANIZATION • 

Name Age Residence Mustered into Rej.i.^rks 

U. S. Service 

Williams, George 30. .Waldo Aug. 25, '62. .M. o. 

Wilson, Jesse A 19. .Belfast Aug. 2 5, '62. . Pr. corp. wd. .'.ottysburg, died July 3, 63. 

Woodbury, Richard W.20. .Waldo Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Jan. 19, 'o3. 

Wood, Francis C 27. .Northport . . . .Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. corp. wd. Gettysburg, disc. Apr. 18, '64. 

Wording, William H^ .21. .Belfast Aug. 2 5, '62. . Pr. corp. and sergt. red. tr. to navy. 

22.. Belfast Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. corp. killed. Cold Harbor. 

.24. .Belfast Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. corp. pris. Reams' Station, m. o. 

.Portland May 3, '64. .Pris. Reams' Station, tr. 1st. H. A. 

.Portland Aug. 13, '63. .Cons. wd. Spottsylvania, disc. Feb. 6, '65. 

.Belfast Jan. 25, '65. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

.Searsmont Dec. 4,'63..Wd. Ft. Haskell, Nov. 2, '64, tr. 1st. H. A. 

.20. .Ellsworth Feb. 8,'6S. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

,. 18. .Northport Mch. 2,'65. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

, .24. .Augusta Sept. 29, '64. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

.44. .Belfast Jan. 9, '64. . Disch. June 26, '65. 

.26. .St. George Aug. 14, '63. .Cons. des. Sept. 26, '63. . . 

.30. .Bowdoinham . .July 17, '63. .Cons. wd. and pris. JerusalemPlankRoad, repta. 

died, Oct. 18, '64. 

.Belfast Feb. 4, '65. .Died, Apr. 26, '65. 

.Jefferson July 18, '63. .Cons. des. from hosp. Sept. 5, '64. 

.Winthrop Aug. 14, '63. .Cons. disc. Dec. 11, '63. 

.28. .St. George Aug. 14, '63. .Cons, missing on march near Brandy Station, 

Oct. 12, '63, reported a deserter. 

.21 . .Bath July 17, '63. .Cons. disc. Mch. 14, '64. 

.31. .Webster July 18, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A., abs. sick at m. o. 

.19. .Belfast Feb. 21,'65..Tr. 1st. H. A. 

.22.. Belfast Jan. 16,'65. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

.Carmel Sept. 21, '63. .Cons. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. 1st. H. A. 

.Belfast Jan. 31, '65. . Died, May IS, '65. 

.Bowdoinham ..July 17,'63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, died, July 22, '64. 

.Portland Aug. 12, '63. .Cons. wd. and pris. Jerusalem Plank Road. 

.Saco Sept. 21, '63. .Cons. disc. May 18, '65. 

.Augusta Aug. IS, '63. .Cons. disc. Dec. 30, '63. 

. . .20. .Somerville Jan. 5, '64. .Tr. 1st, H. A. 

. . . 2 7 . . Lewiston Aug. 10, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 

... 18. .Belfast Feb. 1,'65. . Tr. 1st. H. A. 

.. .18. .Belfast Jan. 25,'65. .Tr. 1st. H. A. , 

. . .42. .Fall River,Mass May 17, '64. .Mortally wd. Hatchers' Run, died Feb. 5, 65. 

... 19. .Bangor July 27, '63. . Cons. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr,. 1st. H. /■. 

. . .24. .Montville Aug. 12, '63. .Cons. des. from hosp. Jan. 1, '65. 

...25. .Poland Sept. 23, '63. .Cons, wd Wilderness, tr. V. R. C. 

.. .26. . Portland Sept. 21, '63. .Cons. tr. to navy. 

.Bowdoinham . .July 17, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, disc. Apr. 3, '65. 

.Belfast Mch. 1,'6S. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

.Farmington . . .Aug. 13, '63. .Cons. disc. May, 2 '64. 

.21. .Bath July 17, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, disc. Jan. 9, 65. 

.20. .Bath July 17, '63. .Cons. pris. Reams' Station, tr. 1st. H. A. 

.34. .Dresden July 18, '63. .Cons. wd. North Anna, tr. 1st. H. A. 

.22.. Dresden July 18, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 

Stackpole, Sharington .23. .Belfast Feb. 16, '65. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 



Ruggles, Vernon P. 
Sawyer, Arthur M. . 
Sawyer, William R. . 
Siegers, Benjamin B. 
Siegers, Samuel A. . . . 



Stuart, Francis C. 

Walker, Otis 

Welch, Thomas . . . . 
Wilbur, Joseph W. . 
Withiam, John B.. . . 
Whitehouse, William 



21. .Mt. Vernon. .. .Aug. 12, '63 

. . 36 . . Biddeford Sept. 9, '63 

. .35. .Portland Feb. 2. '64 

.. 26 . .Lewiston July 15, '63 

. .18. .Portland ".....May 
.24. .Lovell July 



Cons. des. Oct. 19, '63. 

Cons. disc. Jan. 6, '65. 

Killed, Wilderness. 

Cons. disc. Dec. 15, '63. 
4,'64..Tr. 1st. H. A. 
1,'63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. abs. sick at m. o. 



SOLDIERS TRANSFERRED TO COMPANY FROM FOURTH MAINE REGIMENT, JUNE 15, 1864 



Boggs, Emerson H. ... 18. 

Cameron, John 25. 

Clark, William H 18. 

Clark, Abial B 19. 

Clark, Joseph E 22. 

Cowk. John 44. 

Cunningham, Jacob C. 35. 
Cunningham William E 33 . 

Dunbar, Joseph 18. 

Eaton, James B 18 . 

Gray, Benjamin 41 . 

Hall. Edward 20. 



.Rockland Nov. 10, '61, 

. Presque Isle ..Sept. 1,'62 
.Northport ....Mch. 5, '62 

.Jefferson Jan. 1,'64 

.Belfast Mch. 5, '62 

.Belfast Dec. 5, '63 

.Washington . . .Jan. 1,'64 
.Washington .. .June. 15, '61 

.Belfast Mch. 14, '64, 

. Deer Isle June IS, '61. 

.Aroostook Aug. 31, '63 

. Rockland Sept. 9, '62 



. Abs. sick disch. exp. term of service. 
.Sub. died June 17, '64 of wds. rec'd Wilderness. 
. Disch. term exp. 

.Vet. tr. 1st. H. A. , , .„ 

.Pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, died And 'sonville 
Oct. 2, '64. .„ ^ , ^^ ,^. 

. Pris. Wilderness, died Andersonvule July 25, 64. 
.Vet. tr. 1st. H. A. 
.Disch. July 13, '65. 
.Pr. corp. tr. 1st. H. A. 
. Pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. 1st. H. A. 
.Sub. tr. 1st. H. A. 
. Wd. Wilderness, pr. corp. tr. 1st;. H. A. 



332 

Name 

Martin, Henry 

Meservey, Samuel L. . 

Morrill, Charles W 

McAllister, Emery A.. 
Nickerson, Edward B. 
Norton, Simon L. 
Parent, Solomon 
Perkins, George. . 
Pierce, James . . . 
Randall, Edward 
Rediker, James . 
Russ, John F. . . 
Schwartz, James O. 
Taylor, Simeon . . 
Thompson, Joseph 



THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 



Age Residence 



Remarks 



.24. 
.29. 
.20. 
.37, 
25 
.30 
.36 
.42 
.44 
.19 
.24 



Mustered into 
U. S. Service 

.Canada Aug. 31, '63. .Sub. wd. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. 1st. H. A. 

.Rockland Jan. 1.'64. . Vet. sergt. tr. V. R. C. 

.Lisbon Sept. 1,'63. .Sub. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. 1st. H. Al 

Sub. pris. Nov. 5, '64, tr. 1st. H. A. 

Sub. tr. 1st. H. A. 

Sub. wd. tr. 1st. H. A. 

Sub. tr. 1st. H. A. 

Tr. 1st. H. A. 

Sub. wd. Reams' Station, tr. 1st. H. A 

Pris. Nov. 5, '64, disch. June 25, '65. 

Sub.tr. 1st. H. A. 

Sub. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. Ist.H. A.' 

Abs. sick at exp. of term. 

Vet. pris. Gettysburg tr. ist. H. A. 



Milford Aug. 29, '63. 

.Presquelsle ..Sept. 1,'63. 
. Presque Isle ..Sept. 1,'63, 
. Presque Isle . .Aug. 29, '63. 
.Newcastle ....Dec. 28, '63. 

.Portland Sept. 1,'63. 

. Brooks Jan. 1 ,'64 . 

Bangor Sept. 1,'63. 



.21.. New York Sept. 2, '63 

.18. .Camden Mch. 13, '62 

.22. .Gardiner Jan. 1,'64 



.24. .Rockland Sept. 12, '62. . In hosp. at m. o. 



, 



SOLDIERS WHO JOINED COMPANY FROM FIFTH COMPANY UNASSIGNED INFANTRY IE 

NOVEMBER, 1864. 



Bennett, Charles 
Cummings, John 

Nehemiah Smart 
James H. Pierce . 



George L. Merri!! 
Alfred E. Nickerson 
Russell F. Perkins 

Mark R. Ginn 

Benjamin O. Sargent 
Frank A. Patterson . 
Esburn E. Weed . . . 
William B. Sawyer . 
Andrew D. Black . . 
John B. Campbell . . 
Charles B. Norris . . . 



.25. 
.18. 

.25. 

.30. 

.21, 
.22. 
.22. 

.28. 
.25. 
.21. 
.28. 
.23. 
.23. 
.21. 
.22. 



.Prospect Aug. 25, '62 



.Searsport 
.Swanville 
.Frankfort , 

. Prospect . . 
. Searsport . 
.Stockton . 
.Frankfort , 
.Searsport . 
.Stockton , 
. Frankfort 
.Searsport 



Alonzo Glidden 39 . . Prospect . 

Wilmoth Porter 44. .Searsport 



Ames, Albert 22 . 

Atwood, John R 20. 

Blanchard, Thomas S. 20 

Bowden. Levi 20 

Brown, John H 36. 

Burgess, Benjamin . . .25. 
Campbell, Charles E. .18. 
Campbell, Daniel A.. . .21. 

Carlin, Robert Jr 19. 

Carter, William A 18. 

Cilley, Tudah 22. 

Clark, Charles 25. 

Cobb, James T 18. 

Colson, James A 18. 

Colson, William J 21 . 

Cookson, Franklin S. .23. 
Cookson, Joseph G. . . .21 . 

Crane, Sewall H 23 . 

Curtis, Americus J 23 . 

Curtis, Nelson 25, 

Dearborn, Leonard ....31. 

Dickey, Manly L 18 . 

Downs. Nahum 21 . 

Dow, Enoch C 20. 

Edwards, Joseph W. . .21 . 

Grant, William H 18. 

Grover, Moses 42 . 

Harriman, Charles E.. . 18. 
Holmes, John C 18. 



.Bridgton Oct. 5,'64. . Pr. 2d. and 1st. lieut. 

.Solon Oct. 5,'64..Tr. 1st. H. A. 

SERGEANTS 

.Swanville Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. 2d. lieut. 1st. lieut. and capt. wd. Spottsyl: 

vania. 
Pr. 1st. sergt. wd. Gettysburg and Wilderness 
pr. 1st. lieut. co. C. 
. . .Aug. 25, '62. . Disch. for promotion, Dec. 28, '63. 
. . ..Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Wilderness, pr. 2d. and 1st. lieut. co. B. .■ 
. . .Aug. 25, '62. . Red. by request, disc. Jan. 15, '63. 

CORPORALS 
. . .Aug. 25, '62. .Tr. to navy Apr. 15, '64. 
. . .Aug. 25, '62. . Red. by request, tr. V. R. C. July 27, "63. 
. . . Aus?. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, tr. to navy. 
. . .Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Feb. 6, '63. 

. . .Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. sergt. det. on color-guard, pr. 2d. lieut. co. P 
. . .Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. sergt-maj. Dec. 6, '63. 
. . .Aug. 25, '62. , Wd. Spottsylvania. in hosp. at m. o. 
, . . .Aug. 25, '62. .Tr. to navy Apr. 18, '64. 
MUSICIANS 

Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Feb. 8, '63. 

WAGONER 
. . . .Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. May 23, '63. 

PRIVATES 
. . . .Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Wilderness, m. o. 

Aug. 2S.'62. . Wd. Gettysburg, tr. V. R. C. Feb. 16, "64. 

. . . .Aug. 25, '62. .Killed, Spottsylvania. 
. . . .Aug. 25, '62. .Tr. to navy Apr. IS, '64. 

Aug. 25. '62. .Disc. Jan. 15, '63. 

Aug. 25,'62. .Tr. to 4, U. S. arty. 

. . . .Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. sergt. m. o. 
, . . .Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. corp. m. o. 
, . . .Aug. 25, '62. .Mortally wd. Petersburg, died July 19, '64. 

Aug. 25, '62.. Disc. Mch. 19, '64. 

. . .Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Jerusalem Plank Road, died Aug. 30, '64. 
. . .Aug. 25, '62. . Det. 1st. R. I. arty, miss'g Gettysburg, also 

reptd. des. July, 3 '63. 
, . . .Aug. 25, '62. . Disc. Oct. 1, '63. 
. . .Aug. 25, '62. . Disc. Jan. 5, '63. 

. . .Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg and killed at Spottsylvania. 
. . .Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Apr. 4, '63. 

.. .Aug. 25,'62..Wd. Gettysburg, tr. V. R. C. Apr. IS, '64. 
. . .Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Jan. 17, '63. 

. . .Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Spottsylvania. disch. May 11, '65. 
, . . .Aug. 25, '62. .M. o. 
. . . Aug. 2S,'62. .Wd. Gettysburg, tr. V. R. C. July 1. "64. 
. . .Aug. 25, '62. .Died, Kalorama hosp.. Wash., Feb. 9, '64. 
. . .Aug. 25, '62. .Mortally wd. Gettysburg, died July \8, '63. 
. . .Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. sergt. killed, Gettysburg. 
. . .Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. 1st. sergt. m. o. 
. . .Aug. 25, '62. . Det. as Ambulance driver, m. o. 
. . .Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Dec. 27, '62. 

.Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, died fr. wounds, July 1 0, '63. 



. Searsport . 
. Frankfort . 
.Stockton . 
. Frankfort . 
.Swanville . 
. Rockland . 
. Frankfort . 
. Frankfort . 
.Searsport . 
.Stockton . 
. Brooks. . . . 
. Frankfort . 

.Searsport . 
.Searsport . 
.Searsport . 
.Frankfort . 
. Frankfort . 
. Frankfort . 
.Swanville . 
.Swanville . 
.Manchester 
.Stockton . 
.Swanville . 
.Stockton . 
.Searsport . 
.Prospect . . 
. Swanville . 
.Searsport. . 
.Frankfort . 



.Aug. 25, '62.. Det. 1st. R. I. arty. disc. June 14,'6S. 



ROSTER 



333 



Name 

Keene, John F 

Low, William H 

Maddox, Jason 

McCarty, Collins Jr. . 

McManus, J. Henry . . 

Merrill, Eugene 

Moore, James S 

Moore, John B 

Morrow, Robert 

Morman, Alpheus F. . 

Nason, James E 

Nichols, Milton W. . . 
Nickerson, John E.. . . 
Nickerson, John F.. . . 

Nickerson, Ruel 

Nickerson, Fred A.. . . 
Nickerson, Andrew H. 
Patterson, Isaac W. . 



.Searsport Aug. 25, '62. 

.Swanville Aog. 2 5, '62. 

.Swanville Aug. 25, '62. 

.Swanville Aug. 2 5, '62. 

.Swanville Aug. 2 5, '62. 



Pease, Samuel 29 



Pendleton, Levi A. 
Scribner, Herbert T. 
Shaw, James H 



Sheldon, Edward B 23 



Staples, Robert F. . . . 
Staples, Peleg S 

Staples, Andrew Jr. . . 

Stinson, Alfred 

Strout, Parish L 

Smith, Stephen 

Spalding, Isaac L. . . . 

iweetser, James 

Treat, James M 

Trundy, Octavius H. 
Furnbull, Franklin . . 
Wani.Tg, Freeman. . . . 
IVaterhouse, Fred L. . 

iVest, Amos W 

Woodbury, Stephen E. 



Age Residence Mustered into Rei^.-^rks 

U. S. Service 

.Stockton Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, tr. to navy Apr. 15, '64. 

.Frankfort Aug. 2 5, '62. .Killed, Gettysburg. 

.Appleton Aug. 25, '62. .M. o. 

.Belfast Aug. 25, '62. .Wd. Gettysburg, arm amputated, disc. Oct 

23, '63. 

.Thorndike Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Sept. 18, '63. 

.Searsport Aug. 25,'62..Pr. sergt. m. o. 

.Frankfort Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, disc. Oct. 27, '63. 

.Frankfort Aug. 25, '62. .Tr. V. R. C. Apr. IS, '64. 

.Searsport Aug. 25,'62..M. o. 

.Searsport Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Spottsylvania, m. o. 

Frankfort Aug. 25, '62. . Det. as ambulance driver, m. o. 

Wd. Wilderness, pr. sergt. m. o. 

Wd. Gettysburg, killed, Wilderness. 

Died, Mch. 8, '65. 

Mortally wd. Gettysburg, died, July 18. '63. 

Wd. Gettysburg, pr., corp. killed, Spottsylvania. 

.Swanville Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. July 15, '63. 

.Prospect Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. corp. mortally wd. Wilderness, died May 21. 

'64. 

.Frankfort Aug. 25, '62. . Pris. May 21, '64, Mattapony river, died, Ander- 

sonville, Aug. 21, '64. 

.Stockton Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Dec. 17, '62. 

.Searsport Aug. 25, '62. .Tr. V. R. C. July 27, '63. 

.Brunswick . . . .Aug. 2 5, '62. . Pr. corp. mortally wd. North Anna, died June 8 
'64. 

.Camden Aug. 2S,'62. . Wd. Gettysburg, arm amputated, disc. Oct. 

23, '63. 

.Stockton Aug. 2 5, '62. . Pr. Corp., killed, Spottsylvania. 

.Stockton Aug. 25, '62. .Det. 1st. R. I. arty. wd. Boydton Road, disch. 

June 15, '65. 

.Stockton Aug. 25, '62. .Tr. batt. C. 4, U. S. arty. 

.Prospect Aug. 25,'62..Tr. V. R. C. July 27, '63. 

Swanville Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Spottsylvania, tr. V. R. C. 

Swanville Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Jan. 5, '63. 

.Frankfort Aug. 25, '62. . Apptd. musician m. o. 

.Searsport Aug. 25, '62. .Tr. to navy Apr. 15, '64. 

.Stockton Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Feb. 7, '63. 

.Searsport Aug. 2 5, '62. .Disc. Jan. 5, '63. 

.Frankfort Aug. 25, '62. .Reptd. des. Apr. 2. '63. 

.Frankfort Aug. 25, '62. .Apptd. musician, m. o. 

.Searsport Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, abs. sick at m. o. 

.Frankfort Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Wilderness, disc. Dec. 14, '64. 

.Searsport Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. corp. disch. June 9, '65. 



RECRUITS AND CONSCRIPTS WHO JOINED COMPANY SUBSEQUENT TO ITS ORGANIZATION 

3assett, Samuel 21 . . Winterport ...Jan. 26, '65. .Wd. High Bridge, disch. June 17, '65. 

3aker, John 21. .Winterport . . .Jan. 28, '65. .Tr. 1st. H. A. abs. sick at m. o. 

31ake, Sewall B 20. .Dexter Aug. 12, '63. .Sub. tr. 1st. H. A. 

3ray, Herman L 18. .Winterport . . .Jan. 28, '65. .Wd. Mch. 28, '65 disch. June 8, '65. 

;arr, John 21. .Portland Aug. 12, '63. .Sub. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, died, Ander- 

sonville, Sept. 15, '64. 

Campbell, Augustus . . 1 8 . . Livermore Aug. 18, '63. .Sub. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. 1st. H. A. 

'.hristy, George A 30. .Sedgwick Mch. 4, '65. .Disch. May 13, '65. 



'lark, John 26. 

Poison, Stephen 22 . 

"ook, Henry 33 . 

Tocker, Orrin B 22. 

furrier, John M 18 . 

)ean, Austin H 18. 

')oyle, Henry A 34. 

iaton, James 20. 

''arr, William 20. 

'razier, Milton W. ... 25 . 
Veeman, Marcellus . . .25 



Portland Aug. 12, '62. .Sub. tr. 1st. H. A. 

.Winterport ...Jan. 25,'65. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 
Portland Aug. 12, '63. .Sub. tr. to navy Apr. IS, '64. 



Stockton Aug. 

.Anson Jan. 

. Frankfort Feb. 

.Augusta Aug. 

. Winterport . . . Jan. 
. Lewiston Aug. 

Ellsworth Jan. 



5, '63. .Cons. tr. to navy Apr. IS, '64. 
'65.. Died Jan. 18, '65. 
18,'6S..Tr. 1st. H. A. 

8, '63. .Sub. wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st. H. 
26, '65. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

8, '63. .Sub. killed. Wilderness. 
26, '65.. Disch. May 13, '65. 



"oley, John 21.. Paris 



Augusta Aug. 17, '63. .Sub. pris. Reams' Station, disch. June 5, "65. 



eorge. Henry A. . . 
■ould, Rufus H. ... 
lartshorn, John A. . 
lartshorn, Cyrus . . . 
ierris, (or Harris), 

Harvey T 

lopkins, Charles W. 



Aug. 8, '63.. Sub. pris. Wilderness, died Andersonville, June 
15, '64. 
. 2 1 .. New Sharon ..Jan. 5, '64. . Disch. July 16, '65. 

.21 . .Jefferson July 20, '63. .Sub. killed. Wilderness. 

.21 . .Swanville Aug. 29, '63. .Sub. wd. North Anna, tr. 1st. H. A. 

.18. .Swanville Dec. 24,'63..Tr. 1st. H. A. 



.Swanville Dec. 19, '63. .Wd. Spottsvlvania, abs.tr. 1st. H. A. 

.Ellsworth Jan. 26, '65. . Disch. May 13, '65. 



334 

Name 

Huff, James H. 
Huff, John B. . 
Jones, William 



Jones, Marshall . . . 
Knowles, Reuben Jr 
Lowe, Arthur D. . . . 
March, Joseph .... 
Merten, Ernest .... 
Patterson, Otis B. . 
Pendleton, Lewis E. 
Philbrick Augustus! 
Pinkham, John C. . 

Pooler, Joseph 

Perkins, Daniel W.. 
Pumero, Thomas. . . 
Savage, Jacob .... 
Sanborn, Isaac L. . 
Sargentson, John . . 
Tibbetts, Kingsbury 
Treat, Winfield S.. . 
Trefethen, Benjamin 
Trollop, William . . 
Tyzaac, Henry N.. . 
Turner, George T. . . 
Waldron, Sidney. . . 
Wharff, Edwin D... 
Willey. Simon H. . . 



THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 



Age Residence Must 
U. S. 

. .18. . Swanville Dec. 

. . 44 . . Swanville Jan. 

. .29. .Portland Aug. 

..21.. Somerville July 

.20. .Bradford Aug. 

. .19. .Frankfort Sept 

. .20. .Bradford Sept 

. . 20 . . Bangor Aug. 

. .20. .Swanville Aug. 

. .22. .Frankfort Apr. 

. .28. .Belfast Aug. 

. . 42 . . Washington . . . Aug. 

. .19. .Waterville Sept. 

. .27. .Limerick Oct. 

. .23. .Whitefield Oct. 

. .28. .Gardiner Aug. 

. . 29 . . Newport Aug. 

. .28. .Tremont Sept. 

..27.. Springfield .... Aug. 

. .18. .Bradford Sept. 

F.42. .C. Elizabeth . .Aug. 
. .41 . . Farmington . . . Aug. 

. .18. .Portland July 

. .21. .Prospect Feb. 

. . 18 . . Frankfort Apr. 

..21.. Fremont pi. . . . Aug. 
. .21. .Exeter Sept. 



ERED INTO Remarks 

Service 
19, '63. . Pr. Corp. tr. 1st. H. A. 

1,'64. . Wd. Wilderness, abs. at m. o. tr. 1st. H. A. 
12, '63.. Sub. pris. Cold Harbor, died Andersonville, 

Aug. 16, '64. 
18,'63..Tr. 1st. H. A. abs. at m. o. 
14, '63.. Cons. disc. Mch. 29, '65. 

7, '63. .Sub. disch. May 23, '65. 
. 16, '63.. Sub. tr. 1st. H. A. 
12, '63.. Sub. died. May 28, "64. 
25, '63. .Sub. pr. corp. tr. 1st. H. A. 
12, '65. .Disch. May 13, '65, never joined company. 
14, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st. H. A. 
18, '63. .Sub. wd. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. 1st. H. A. 

9, '63. .Sub. wd. Wilderness, disch. June 6, '65. 

5, '64. .Tr. 1st. H. A., abs. sick at m. o. 

5, '64. .Tr. 1st. H. A. abs. sick at m. o. 

8, '63. .Sub. tr. 1st. H. A. 
16, '63. .Cons. pris. Mine Run, died in rebel prison 
26, '63.. Sub. wd. Wilderness, date of disch. not s'nown. 
15, '63.. Sub. disc. Dec. 16, '64. 

7, '63.. Sub. died, Jan. 19, '64. 
18, '63. .Sub. killed. North Anna. 
14, '63. .Sub. wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st. H. A. 
13, '63. .Cons. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road tr. 1st. H. A. 

4,'64. .Tr. to navy Apr. 15, '64... 
14,'65..Disc. May 13, '65. 

15, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, disch. June 13, '65. 
17, '63.. Sub. pris. Mine Run, died Andersonville, July 
10, '64. 



SOLDIERS TRANSFERED TO COMPANY FROM FOURTH MAINE REGIMENT JUNE IS, 1864. 
Biillen, Joseph S 18. .S\yanville Aug. 25,^63. .Cons. pr. corp^tr. 1st. H. A. 



Colson, Otis 
Fanaughty, David . 
Farnham, Joseph E. 
Fickett, Moses D. 



.18. . Winterport . . .Dec. 30,'62. . Pr. corp. wd. Petersburg, tr. 1st. H. .'\. 

.39. .Belfast Aug. 25, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 

.25.. Knox Nov. 9, '61 . .Wd. Reams' Station disc. Nov. 27, '64. 

^ . . .39 . .Swanville Aug. 25, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A., abs. sick at m. o. 

Gray Nathan 21 . .Sedgwick Nov. 9, '61 . . Wd. Wilderness, never joined company. 

Gipson, John N 36. .Boston Aug. 29, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 

Grindle, Andrew 40..Bluehill Nov. 9, '61 . .Wd. Wilderness, never joined company. 

Holmes, Hiram C 18. . Bucksport July 20, '61. .Disch. July 28, '64, exp. of serv. 

Hubbard, Moses H. . . .30. .Bangor Aug. 20, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 

Hughey, David 21 . . Bangor Aug. 9, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 

Hutchins, Albert E. . .20. .Swanville Aug. 21, '63. .Cons, killed on picket, Oct. 7, '64. 

Howe, James 20. .Arrowsic Aug. 28, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 

Kilgore, Frank 20. .Waterford Aug. 24, '63. .Cons. pr. corp. tr. 1st. H. A. 

Knowles, Benjamin . . .30. .Jackson Mch. 30, '64. .Vet. wd. Reams' Station, tr. 1st. H. A. 

Murphy, Alvin 18. .Portland Aug. 2, '63. .Cons, wd. Wilderness, disc. Dec. 17, '64. 

Poor, Charles D 18. .Belfast Feb. 28, '62. .Wd. Reams' Station, disch. exp. of serv. 

Richards, Elisha P. .. .33. .Thomaston .. .Aug. 28, '62. .Wd. Cold Harbor, pris. Reams' Station, disc . 

July 31. 65. 
.45.. Brooks Dec. 5, '63.. Pris. Reams' Station, died Rebel prison, Nov- 
ember, 23 '64. 

.19. .Belfast Feb. 5, '62, . Pr. sergt. died Jan. 28, '64. 

.26. .Newport, R. I. .Aug. 21, '63. .Sub., killed, Petersburg. June 18, '64. 

.19. .Richmond Aug. 5, '63. , Sub. tr. 1st. H. A. 

. .28. .Belfast Aug. 22, '63. .Sub. tr. 1st. H. A. 

..21.. Richmond Aug. 26, '63., Sub. tr. V. R. C. 

. .21. .Richmond. . . .Aug. 22, '63. .Sub. died, June 25, '64. 

. .18. .Clinton Aug. 27, '63. .Sub. tr, 1st. H. A. 

. .18. .Clinton Aug. 19, '63. .Sub. wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st. H. A. 

Wilton, Charles F 20. .Clinton .\ug. 20, '63. .Sub. tr. 1st. H. A. 

Winslow, Nathan S. . .19. .Albion May 5, '63. .Sub. pris. Totopotomoy, died, AndersonvillCr J 

Aug. 13, '64. 
Winslow, Vernon E.. . .20. .Casco Jan. 4, '64. .Wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st H. A. 

SOLDIERS WHO JOINED COMPANY FROM FIFTH COMPANY UNASSIGNED INFANTRY IN : 

NOVEMBER 1864. 



Roberts, Benjamin . . 

Shales, William H. . 
Sylvary, George H.. . 
Taylor, George W. . . 

Thomas, John 

Tyler, John A.. . 
Weir, Wilson . . 
White, Daniel C. 
Whitten, Elisha. 



Cross, Hannibal H 18. .Solon Oct. 



Gordon, Daniel E 
Gove, Alonzo E. 
Jones, Charles F 
Peavey, Charles 
Peterson, Louis 



18. .Readfield Oct. 

. .21. .Windsor Oct. 

. . 18. .Norridgewock .Oct. 
. .20. .Anson Oct. 

27. .Whitefield Oct. 



Sargent, Edward B. . .25. . Boothbay Oct. 



5, '64. .Disc. July 21. '64. 

5,'64..Tr. 1st. H. A. 

5, '64, .Disch. June 8, '65. 

5, '64. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

S,'64..Tr. 1st. H. A. 

5, '64. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

5, '64. .Disch. June 9. '65, 



ROSTER 



335 



Company F. 
SOLDIERS WHO VOLUNTEERED AND JOINED COMPANY AT ITS ORGANIZATION. 



Name 



Age Residence 



Remarks 



Almon Goodwin . . . . 
Amaziah E. Googins 
Thomas T. Rideout . 

Oliver R. Small 

Orville G. Tuck 



.22 
.33 
.21 
.23 
.22 



William A. Wood 19 

Charles E. Dillingham 36 
Daniel W. Starbird ..39 
Andrew J. Goodwin . . .35 

William Gray 42 

Foster, Philip H 23 



.W. Gardiner 

. Bowdoin Aug 

. Litchfield Aug 

.Monmouth . . . .Aug 



Henry A. Ham 

Daniel W. Robinson 



Henry H. Williams ..23 
Lauriston Chamberlain 23 



Adams, Charles H. 
I Adams. Franklin. . . 
Adams, Silas 

Allen, James H. . . . 
Arris, George A. . . . 
Berry, Andrew J. . . 
Blake. Samuel T. . . 
Bowe, James H. . . . 
Brann, John E. ... 
Bubier, Thomas L. 
Buker, John S. 
Burke, Cyrus E. . . . 
Chase, George E. . . 
Chase, James F. . . . 
Cole, Daniel M. ... 
Corey, Robert H. . . 
Crane, Jonathan. . . 
Crosby, William H. 
Davis, John H. ... 
Dennett, Moses S.. . 
Dunnell, Edwin L. 
Donnell, Loring P . 
Dunlap, James G. . . 
Durgin, George T. . 
Fairbanks, Edwin. . 
Forrest, William A. 
Gardiner, Israel A. 
Getchell, Philip P. . 
Gilbert, Addison D. 
Given, Simeon S. . . 
Glass, Rufus P. ... 
Gowell, John D. . . . 
Gowell, Nathaniel O 

Greenleaf, Joseph D. 
Grover, Alfred. . . . 
Gross, Joshua F. . 
Hall, Alanson G. . . 
Hamlin, David . . . 
Hanscom, Moses C 
Harmon, Stephen 



.18 
.21 
.21, 

.21 
.18 
.26 
.26 
.19, 
.22 
.25 
27 
.34 
.18 
.18 
.21 
.27 
.23. 
.43 
.30 
.24 
. 18 
.23 
.25 
.33 
.21 
.28 
.22 
.19 
.18 
.22 
.19 
.18 
.18 

.21 
.20, 
.20 
.42 
.35 
.20 
.31 



Mustered into 
U. S. Service 
SERGEANTS 

.Baldwin Aug. 2S,'62. . Pr. 2d. lieut. 

.Litchfield Aug. 25, '62. . Disc. Apr. 9. '63. 

. Bowdoinham . .Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. 1st. sergt. wd. Gettysburg, died, July 18. 'o3 
.W. Gardiner . .Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. 2d. and 1st. lieut. co. E. capt. co. K 

.Hallowell Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. capt. 8th. U. S. C. T. Oct. 15, '63. 

CORPORALS 
Bowdoinham . .Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. sergt. -maj., Mch. 22, "64, pris. North Anna 
Aug, 25, '62. . Pr. sergt. red. at own request, abs. sick at m. o 
25, '62. .Disc. Mch. 3, '63. 
2 5, '62. . Pr. sergt. wd. Wilderness, m. o. 
25, '62. .Red. at own request, disc. Feb. 22, '63. 

.Topsham Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. 1st. sergt., pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, disch 

June, 11 '65. 

.Wales Aug. 25, '62, .Red. abs. sick at m. o. 

• Litchfield Aug. 25, '62. . Red. disc. June 3, '63. 

MUSICIANS 

.Bowdoin Aug. 25,'62. . M. o. 

.Bowdoinham ..Aug. 25,'62. . Pr. prin. mus. Feb. 12, "64, wd. Gettysburg, m. o 
PRIVATES 

.Litchfield Aug. 25, '62. . Died, Bolivar, Va., Oct. 20, '62. 

Bowdoinham ..Aug. 25,'62..Pr. sergt., 1st. sergt.. and 2d. lieut. Co. D. 

.Aug. 25.'62..Pr. sergt. disch. Sept. 10, '64, pr. capt. co B. 

41st. U. S. C. T. 
.Aug. 2S,'62. .Tr. V. R. C. Sept. 1, '63. 
.Aug. 25, '62. . Pris. while on picket, Nov. 5, '64, m. o. 
.Aug. 25,'62..Pr. corp. killed, North Anna. 
.Aug. 25. '62. . Wd. Spottsylvania, died of wounds, June 5, '64 

.Bowdoin Aug. 25,'62..Det. batt. B. 1st. R. I. arty. pr. corp. m. o. 

.W. Gardiner . .Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. sergt., wd. Wilderness, m. o. 

.Leeds Aug. 25, '62. .Tr. V. R. C. Sept. 1, '63. 

.Litchfield Aug. 25, '62. . Disc. Feb. 12, '63. 

.Litchfield Aug. 25, '62. .M. o. 

.Topsham Aug. 25, '62. .Killed on picket. Oct. 22, '64. 

.Topsham Aug. 2 5, '62. .Wd. Morton's Ford, m. o. 

,W. Gardiner . .Aug. 25, '62. . Died, July 30, '63. 

Det. in ambulance corps., m. o. 
,Wd. Wilderness, pr. corp. m. o. 
.Tr. V. R. C. Dec. 2, '63. 
.On det. serv. in arty. brig. m. o. 
, Pr. corp. and 1st. sergt., killed, Wilderness. 
Wd. Gettysburg, tr. V. R. C. Nov. 15, '63. 



. Bowdoinham 

. Monmouth 
.Topsham . . 
.Topsham. . 
.Monmouth 



Topsham Aug. 25, '62. 

.Topsham Aug. 25.'62 . 

.W. Gardiner . .Aug. 25, '62. 

.Litchfield Aug. 25, '62. 

.Lewiston Aug. 25, '62. 

.Monmouth . . . .Aug. 25, '62. 

.Monmouth . . . .Aug. 25, '62. 

.Topsham Aug. 25, '62. 

.Bowdoinham ..Aug. 25, '62. 

.W.Gardiner . .Aug. 25, '62. 

.Hallowell Aug. 25. '62. 



Died. Oct. 5. '62, at Washington, D. C. 

Died. June 5, '63. 

M. o. 

M. o. 

Disc. Feb. 16, '63. 

.Richmond Aug. 25, '62. .M. o. 

.Augusta Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. corp., wd. Wilderness, m. o. 

.Leeds Aug. 25. '62. .Pris. Spottsylvania, disch. June 12, '65. 

.Bowdoinham ..Aug. 25,'62..M. o. 

Captured July 20, '63, disch. June 12, "65. 
. M. o. 

. Pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, died Anderson 
ville, Jan. 1 1. '65. 

.Litchfield Aug. 25, '62. . Disc. Dec. 27, '63. 

W. Gardiner . .Aua;. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, in hosp. at m. o. 

..'\ug. 25, '62. . Pr. corp. red. tr. to navy Apr. 1, '64. 
Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Apr. 9. '63. 
Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Apr. 10, '63. 
Aug. 25,'62..Pr. corp. m. o. 



■ Bowdoinham ..Aug. 25, '62. 

.Litchfield Aug. 2 5, '62. 

.Litchfield Aug. 25, '62. 



. Brunswick 
.Monmouth . . 
. Bowdoinham 
. Bowdoinham 



.Litchfield Aug. 25, '62. .Admitted to Insane asylum Wash.., D. C. Oct 

19, '63. where he died later. 

.Topsham Aug. 25, '62. .M. o. 

.Wales Aug. 25. '62. .Det. provost guard, m. o. 

.Topsham Aug. 2 5. '62. .Abs. sick at m. o. 

.Hallowell Aug. 25,'62..Tr. V. R. C. May 29, '63. 

.Bowdoinham ..Aug. 25,'62..Pr. corp. and sergt. red. at'own request, m. o 
.Monmouth ... .Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. corp., died Dec. 1, '62. 
Keen. Calvin B 27. .Leeds Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, abs. at m. o. 



Harrington, Charles D. 43 
Hodgman, George W. .31 

House, George M 18 

Howe, Joseph E 44. 

Jacques, Nathaniel P. .25. 
Jaquith, James 30. 



336 



THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 



Name 

Lake, Henry H. . . 
Leavett, Frank M. 
Maxwell, Rufus S. 
Nickerson, William J 
Palmer, Thomas L.. 
Perry, George S. . . 
Plummer, Augustus 
Potter, Roscoe H.. . 
Powers, James W. . 
Priest, Wilbur F. . . 
Richards, John .... 
Richardson, Lorenzo 
Ridley, Thomas R 
Rose, Thomas S.. . 
Shorey, William H. 
Small, William S. 
Smith, John Day . , 

Smith, Horace L. . 
Smith, Samuel. ... 

Spear, Alvin 

Spear, Franklin. . . 
Spear, Richard H. 



Age Residence Mustered into Remarks 

U. S. Service 

. . 2 1 . . Lewiston Aug. 25, '62. .Tr. to 4, U. S. arty., Oct. 21, 63. 

. .24. .Bowdoinham . .Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. May 12, '65. 

. . 19. .Bowdoin Aug. 25,'62. . Wd. Totopotomoy, abs. at m. o. 

. .18..Topsham Aug. 25, '62. . Hosp. attendant, regtl. hdqrs. m. o 

. .21 . . Hallowell Aug. 25, '62. .Det. as guard at hdqrs. m. o. 

. . 19. .Litchfield Aug. 25, '62. .M. o. 

B. 20. .W. Gardiner . .Aug. 25, '62. . Disch. for pr. regular army, Oct. 6, 

. .21 . .W. Gardiner ..Aug. 25, '62, . Det. as provost guard hdqrs. m. o. 

. .26. .Litchfield Aug. 25, '62. .Tr. V. R. C. Sept. 20. '64. 

. .24. .China Aug. 25, '62. .Died, Feb. 3, '63 

. .37. . Bowdoinham . .Aug. 25,'62. . Pr. corp. m. o. 

M 19. .Litchfield Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Petersburg, died Apr. 13, '65. 

. .23. . Bowdoinham . .Aug. 25, '62. . Disc. May 17, '64. 
.Greene Aug. 25,'62..M. 



'64. 



Thompson; Leandef C. 38 . .Monmouth 

Tobey, Joseph H 21 . .Somerville. 

Tozier, William A 44. .Monmouth 

Turner, Anson 21.. Gardiner . 

Ward, George 41 . . Bowdom . 

Wentworth, Rueben A. 30. .Hallowell . 
White, Edward P 19. .Monmouth 

White, George 23. .Hallowell . 

Work, Joseph P 22 . .Topsham. . 



22 . . 

19. .Monmouth . . . .Aug. 25/62. . Wd. Gettysburg, died, July 4, '63. 

24. .Wales Aug. 25, 62. . Wd. Gettysburg, disc. Mch. 4, '64. 

18. .Litchfield Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. corp., wd. Gettysburg det. color-guard, wd. 

Jerusalem Plank Road, disc. Apr. 16, '65. 

.Litchfield Aug. 2S,'62. . Disc. Feb. 6, '63. 

.Litchfield Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. corp. and sergt. abs. sick at m. o. 

.W. Gardiner . .Aug. 25, '62. .Det. as guard at hdqrs. m. o. 
.W. Gardiner ..Aug. 25, '62. . Died, Feb. 4, '63. 

Aug. 25,'62..Pr. corp. and sergt. killed, Jerusalem Plank 

Road. _, 

Disch. June 6, '65. 
Disc, Mch. 3, '63. 

Died, Washington, D. C, Dec. 24, '62. 
Captured July 20, .63, by guerrillas while on 
march from Manassas Gap to White Pla'ns 
died, Libby Prison, Feb. 27, '64. 
.Aug. 25, '62. .Disc, May 27, '63. 



.22 
.28 
.18 
.18 
.27 



. W. Gardiner 



Stackpole, William R. 19 .. Hallowell Aug. 25, '62 

Starbird, Alonzo R. .. .23. .Bowdom Aug. 25, '62 

Stevens, Hicks V 21 .. Bowdoinham . .Aug. 25, '62 

Stevens, James O 24. . Litchfield Aug. 2 5, '62 



Aug. 25, '62. 
.Aug. 25, '62. 
.Aug. 25, '62. 
.Aug. 25, '62. 
.Aug. 25, '62. 
.Aug. 25, '62. 

.Aug. 25, '62. 
.Aug. 25, '62. 



.Wd. Gettysburg, tr. V. R. C. 

. Disc, Jan. 16, '63. 

. Pr. corp. m. o. 

.Disc,. Mch. 5, '63. 

. Pr. corp. red. tr. V. R. C. Au?. 8, '64. 

.Wd. North Anna and High Bridge, disch, 

July 26, '65. 
.Wd. Gettysburg, disc, Dec. 27, '63. 
.Disc, Sept. 25, '63. 

RECRUITS AND CONSCRIPTS WHO JOINED COMPANY SUBSEQUENT TO ITS ORGANIZATION 
Babcock Augustine . .23. .Belfast Aug. 9, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st. H. A. 

. .18. .Belfast Sept. 18, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilde ness, also wd. and pris. at Straw- 
berry Plains, tr. 1st. H. A. 

. . 19 . .Turner Mch. 10, '64. . Pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, died Anderson- 

ville, Aug. 8, '64. 

. .25. .Ellsworth Feb. 3, '65. .Disch. July 11, '65. 

. . 21 . .Augusta July IS, '63. .Cons. abs. sick at m. c, 

. .22. .Bangor Sept. 22, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 

. .21. .Deer Isle Dec. 31,'64. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

.. 19. .Lewiston Aug. 10, '63. .Cons, disc, Dec. 8, '63. 

. .21. .Swanville Feb. 2,'65..Tr. 1st. H. A. 

. .43. . Bowdoinham . .Jan. 13,'64. . Disc, Apr. 26, '64. 



Baker, Thomas A. 
Briggs, Justus C. 



Bvron, Owen . . . . 
Clifford, Charles T. 
Clark, Charles F.. . 

Cole, William 

Collins, Lora H. . . 
Curtis, Phineas . . . 
Durgin, Alonzo A. 

Gage, Fred . 

Gloid, William M.. 
Harvey, Albert . . 
Hefferan, Thomas. 



Higgins, Dennis . . 
Howard, William . 
Jackson, Thomas J 
Jerald, Walter . . . 

Johnson, Roscoe . 
Johnston William . 

King, Michael 

Layois, Maxim . . . 
Lemont, W. Henry 
McCabe, James . . 
Morris, George. . . . 
Murphv, Timothy 



tr. 1st. H. A. 



18. 
.21. 



.27. 
.22. 
.20. 
.23. 



.Augusta Aug. 16, '64. .No record found. 

.Belfast Aug. 22, '63. .Cons., died Nov. 17, '63. 

.24. .Swanville Feb. 1,'65. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

.27. .Portland Aug. 4, '63. .Cons. wd. Jerusalem Plank Road, disc. Jan. 6 

'65. 

.Portland Aug. 22, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 

.Bangor July 18, '63. .Cons. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. 1st. H. A. 

.Thomaston ...Aug. 12,'63. . Abs. sick at m. o., tr. 1st. H. A. 

• Lewiston Aug. 8, '63.. Cons. pr. corp. and sergt. wd. Bristoe Station 

and Spottsylvania, tr. 1st. H. A. 

. 1 8 .. Portland Aug. 19, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st. H. A. 

.26. .Portland Aug. 19, '63. .Cons. des. to enemy while on picket Sept. 18, '63. 

. 19 . . Lewiston Mch. 10, '64. . Wd. Spottsylvania, disc. July 16, '64. 

.27 . .Lewiston Mch. 23, '64. . Pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. 1st. H. A. 

.19. .W. Bath Jan. 12, '65. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

.24. .Portland Aug. 19, '63. .Cons. des. Nov. 8, '63. 

.20. .Lewiston Aug. 12. '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 

.29. .Orono Aug. 12, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 

PeTrmg'ton,"Charl'es W. 18. .W. Bath Jan. 12,'65. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

Pinkham, Levi 20. .Belfast Aug. 8, '63. .Cons tr. 1st. H. A. 



ROSTER 



337 



Name Age Residence Mustered into Remarks 

U. S. Service 

Pritchard, John 20. .Belfast Aug. 26, '63. .Cons, died, Apr. 19. '64. 

Ricker, Leonard B. . . .22. .Belfast Sept. 5, '63. .Cons. pris. Reams' Station and died a prison* 

Nov. S, '64. 

Rose, Morrill 32. .Augusta July 21, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, disc. Bee. 10, '64 

Smith, Hubbard C 28. .Augusta July 18, '63. .Cons. disc. Dec. 14, '64. 

Spinney, Archie 28. . Belfast Sept. 2, '63. .Cons. abs. sick during serv., tr. 1st. H. A. 

Stone, Marcus M 21..Lewiston Aug. 13, '63. .Cons. abs. sick, tr. 1st. H. A. 

Strange, William 29. .Belfast Sept. 11, '63. .Cons. wd. Bristoe Station, tr. V. R C June 1' 

Sweeney Patrick 30 . . Lewiston Aug. 10, '63. .Cons. pris. Spottsylvania, died, Andersoi 

ville, Aug. 27, '64. 

Tennev, Dexter B. . . .33. .Belfast Sept. 2, '63. .Cons, killed, Wilderness. 

Vinal, Robert A 28. .Belfast Sept. 3, '63.. Cons. disc. Apr. 12, '64. 

Wade, Charles H 18. .Augusta July 21, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 

Wheeler, James T 20. .Augusta Sept. 10, '63. . Disch. June 14. '65. 

SOLDIERS TRANSFERRED TO COMPANY FROM FOURTH MAINE REGIMENT JUNE !5, 1864. 
Armstrong, Philip R. .18. .Belmont Aug. 27, '63. .Cons. pris. while on picket, Nov. 5, '64, tr 1; 

H. A. 

Barrett, Frank A 20. .Canaan July 30,|63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 

Bray, Patrick 20. .Lewiston Aug. 26, '63. .Cons. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. 1st. H. I 

Crowley, George A. . . .21 . .Topsham Aug. 28, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 

Culombe, Frederick . ..21. . Lincolnville . ..Jan. 1, '64, . Vet. wd. and pris. Strawberry Plains, tr. 1st. H. 

Curtis, Frank A 20. .Bangor Aug. 10, '63. .Cons. pr. corp., tr. 1st. H. A. 

Frohock, Thomas L. . .34. .Belfast Mch. 15, '64. .Wd. Wilderness, May 5, disc. Jan. 20, '65. 

Hustus, Daniel 46. .Unity Dec. 22, '63. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

Jones, Freeman 30. .Washington . . .Jan. 1,'64. .Vet. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. Ist.H. A. 

Jordan, Isaac 32 . .Monroe Aug.. 12, '62. . Pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, died, Andersoi 

ville, Feb. 6, '65. 

Marsden, George O. . . .32. .Portland Aug. 29, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st. H. A. 

McCarrick, Franklin. . .20. .Calais Aug. 28, '63. .Cons, disch. June 8, '65. 

Mixer, Joel 36. .Knox Feb. 26, '64. .Mortally wd. Totopotomoy, died, June 17, '6' 

Morse, Hezekiah D. . . .37. .Poland Aug. 28, '63. .Cons. pris. Ft. Haskell, Nov. 30, '64, died in ori 

Millen, Ga. 

Nutting, Josiah 20. .Canaan July 31, '63. .Cons. wd. Willderness, disc, Jan. 26, '65. 

Overlock, Warren . . . .23. .Washington . . .Jan. 1,'64. .Vet. wd. Gettysburg, tr. Ist.H. A. 

Rideout, Thomas 22. .Belfast July 29, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 

Ricker, Ivory 18. .Monroe Aug. 28, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 

Rollins, Edward 27. .Brooks Aug. 17, '63. .Cons. Wd. Wilderness, disc. Dec. 20. '64. 

Rowe, William C 28.. Brooks Sept. 4,'62..Pr. corp. wd. Gettysburg, pris. Ft. Haskel 

Nov. 5, '64, disch., June 12, '65. 

Russ, Robert F 22. .Belfast Aug. 18, '63. .Tr. fr. co. C. sub., wd. Apr. 28. '64, tr. V. R. C. 

Stickney, Amos 18. .Swanville Dec. 11, '63. .Tr. Ist.H. A. 

Thompson, Chas. H. Jr 27. .Winterport . . .Jan. 1,'64. .Vet. tr. 1st. H. A. 

Washburn, Horatio U. 19. .Bangor Aug. 17, '63. .Cons. tr. V. R. C. Nov. 11, '64. 

Webb, Edward 45. .Brooks Jan. 4, '64. .Disc. Mch. 10, '65. 

Wheaton, Luther 21 . .Greenbush . . . .Sept. 2, '63. .Cons, never joined co. tr. 1st. H. A. 

Whitney, Joshua B. . . 19. .Greenbush . . . .Aug. 25, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 

Wood, Charles A 18 . . Belfast Jan. 1,'64. . Vet. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. 1st. H. A. 

SOLDIERS WHO JOINED COMPANY FROM FIFTH COMPANY UNASSIGNED INFANTRY II 

NOVEMBER 1864 
Cunningham, James H.18. .W. Gardiner . .Oct 5,'64..Tr. 1st. H. A. 
Turner, James 27. . Readfield Oct. 5, '64. .Disc. Jan. 26, '65. 

Company G. 
SOLDIERS WHO VOLUNTEERED AND JOINED COMPANY AT ITS ORGANIZATION. 

SERGEANTS 

Loring Farr 28. .Manchester . . .Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. 2d. and 1st. lieut. 

William T. C. Wescott 21. .Augusta Aug. 25,'62..Pr. 1st. sergt., disc. July 28, '63. 

George A. Barton ... .22 . .Augusta Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. 2d. lieut. 

William O. Tibbetts . .25. .Augusta Aug. 25, '62. .Disc, for promotion, Mch. 14, '64. 

Albert N. Williams . . .24. .Augusta Aug. 25, '62. .Mortally wd. Gettysburg, died, July 3, '63. 

CORPORALS 

Benjamin H. Wescott . 31 . .Augusta Aug. 25, '62. . Disc. Oct. 30, '63. 

Albert H. Packard . . .30. .Augusta Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. sergt. disch. for pr. Mch. 21, '64. 

Walter Jordan 32 . .Chesterville. . . .Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. sergt., wd. Wilderness, m. o. 

William P. Worthing . 19. .China Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Spottsylvania, disc. Dec. 31, '64. 

Orrin P. Smart 28. .Augusta Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, pr. Corp., wd. Jerusalem Plan! 

Road, m.o. 

Thomas H. Kimball . .23 . .Augusta Aug. 25, '62. . Disc. Feb. 8, '63. 

Edward H. Hicks ... .31. .Augusta Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, tr. to navy, Apr. 23, '64. 

George L. Perkins . . .32. .New Sharon . .Aug. 25, '62. .Killed, Gettysburg. 



338 



THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 



Name 



Age 



Asel B Dorsett 43 

Hampton W. Leighton 18 

George A. Hussey .... 18 



Andrews, George W. . .27 
Barter, Gilmore T. . . .21 

Brown, Joseph L 30 

Burrill, John 35 

Call, Albert 31 

Carpenter, Thomas E. 33 , 

Carroll, Charles J 18 

Chapman. George W.. .22, 

Chadwick, Judah A 42 

Clark, Thomas F 33 

Cowan, John F 19 

Cunningham, Uriah. . . 25 . 

Dain, Andrew J 25 

Dockendorf, James W..20 

Doe, George F 32 

Dow, George L 26 

Dunton, Yeaton 24 

Fuller, George S 32 

Gardiner, George H.. . .19 

Gill, Elijah 23 

Grady, William 18 

Hallowell, John Jr. ... .42 

Harlow, Warren C 25 

Haskell, Abner 24 

Haskell, Alfred 31 

Haskell, Joseph H 19 

Haskell, Oscar H 25 

Haskell, William A 28 

Holmes, Horace 27 

Hyson, Ira B 21 

Hyson. Jeremy D 22 

Jackman, William C. . . 43 . 
Jackman, William H.. . 18. 

Jackson, Charles H. . . .20. 

Jones, Amos 32 . 

Jones, Israel D 21. 

Keating, Stephen 27 . 

Keen, George W 27, 

Lane, Nathaniel 31 . 

Lee, Edwin D 33. 

Littlefield, Ruel 18. 

Lord, Amasa 28 

Mahoney. Daniel 18 

Marston, Benjamin R. 36 
Marston, Alfred J 18 

Mayers, James H 20 

McKenney, Stephen P. 32 

Merrill, Abram 38 

Merrill, Appleton 23 

Merrill, George W 20 

Merrill, William G 29 

Moody, Benjamin H. .25 

Moody, Isaac 36 

Moulton, Lewis A 18 

Murphy, William 18 

Murray, Winthrop 38 

Nash, Joseph B 19 

Nelson, Charles H 37 

Nelson, Erastus F 37 

Powers, Charles R 29 

Rideout. Thomas B.. . .21 
Robbins, Franklin D.. .21 



Residence Mustered into Remarks 

U. S. Service 
MUSICIANS 
. .Chesteiville. . . .Aug. 25, '62. .M, o. 

.Augusta Aug. 25, '62. .Served as priv., wd. Gettysburg, tr. V. R. C. 

WAGONER 

.Augusta Aug. 2 5, '62. .Served as priv., wd. Gettysburg, disch. June 26, 

'65. 
PRIVATES 

, .Augusta Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. corp. missg. Gettysburg, supposed dead. 

, .Augusta Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Frederickburg, tr. V. R. C. Sept. 1, '63. 

, .Augusta Aug. 25, '62. .Disc, Apr. 27, '63. 

, .China Aug. 25, '62. . Disc, Jan. 15, '63. 

.Augusta Aug. 25, '62, .Tr. to navy Apr. 23, '64. 

.China Aug. 2 5, '62. .Wd. Wilderness, m. o. 

.Windsor Aug. 25, '62. .Mortally wd. Gettysbrug, died July 10, '63. 

.Windsor Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. sergt., killed Wilderness. 

.Augusta Aug. 2 5, '62. . Pr. corp. m. o. 

.China Aug. 25, '62.. Disc. Feb. 11, '63. 

.Palermo Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. sergt. m. o. 

.Augusta Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Feb. 18, '63. 

, .Chesterville Aug. 25,'62. . Wd. Wilderness, tr. V. R. C. 

. .Windsor Aug. 25, '62. .Disc May 5, '63. 

. .Windsor Aug. 25, '62, .Killed, Reams' Station. 

, .China Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Feb. 22, '63. 

.Windsor Aug. 25, '62. .Disc Mch. 5, '64. 

.Chesterville.. . .Aug. 25,'62..Tr. to navy Apr. 23, '64. 

.Vassalboro Aug. 25,'62..Tr. V. R. C. Sent. 1, '63. 

. .Chesterville. . . .Aug. 2 5, '62. . Wd. Wilderness disc. Dec. 17, '64. 

.Augusta Aug. 25, '62. .M. o. 

.Windsor Aug. 25, '62. . Disc. Apr. 10, '63. 

, .Augusta Aug. 25, '62. .Disc Apr. 10, '64. 

.Augusta Aug. 2 5, '62. . Det. serv. m. o. 

.Augusta Aug. 25,'62 . . Det. serv. m. o. 

.China Aug. 2 5, '62. . Pr. corp. m. o. 

.China Aug. 25, '62. .Disc Apr. 9, '63. 

.Augusta Aug. 25, '62. .M. o. 

.Chesterville. . . .Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Fredericksburg, disc. Apr. 10, '63. 

.Windsor Aug. 25, '62. .Disc Jan. 4, '63. 

.Windsor Aug. 25, '62 . . Det. orderly 1st brig, hdqrs. m. o. 

.Mt. Vernon Aug. 25, '62. .Disc Mch. 2, '63. 

.Mt. Vernon. . . .Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, pris. Jerusalem Plank RoaJ, 
disch. June 12, '65. 

.China Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Wilderness, disch. June 12, '65. 

.China Aug. 2 5, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, disch June 3, '65. 

.China Aug. 25, '62. .Killed, Haymarket, Va., June 25, '63. 

.Augusta Aug. 25, '62. . Disc. Jan. 12, '63. 

.Windsor Aug. 25,'62..M. o. 

.Augusta Aug. 25, '62 . .Killed, Wilderness. 

.China Aug. 25, '62. .Pr. corp. wd. Wilderness, tr. V. R. C. 

Nov. 15, '64. 

.Augusta Aug. 25, '62. .Killed, Wilderness. 

, .Augusta Aug. 2 5, '62. . Pr. 1st sergt. m. o, 

.Augusta Sept. 2, '62. . Pris. Bristoe Station, exchanged m. o. 

. Augusta Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Spottsylvania, m. o. 

.Augusta Aug. 25, '62. . Pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, died Andersonville, 

Sept. 12, '64, date of death also reptd. Nov. 22 . 

. .Dresden Aug. 25, '62. .M. o. 

. .Augusta Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. corp. wd. Gettysburg, disc. Feb. 5, '64. 

. .Windsor Aug. 2 5, '62. .M. o. 

. .Windsor Aug. 25, '62. . Reptd. des. July 2, '63. 

. .Windsor Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. corp. killed, Wilderness. 

. .Augusta Aug. 25, '62. . Died Dec. 14, '62. 

. .Windsor Aug. 25. '62, .Disc Feb. 17, '63. 

. .Augusta Aug. 2 5, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg and Wilderness, disc Jan. 14, '65. 

. .Chesterville. . . .Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Boydton Road, abs. at m. o. 

. .Augusta Aug. 25, '62. .Pris. Reams' Station paroled, m. o. 

. .China Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, disc. Sept. 22, '63, 

. .Nobleboro Aug. 2 5, '62. . Abs. sick at m. o. 

. .China Aug. 25, '62, .Disc. Mch. 13, '63. 

. .China Aug. 2 5, '62. . Pr. sergt. m. o. 

. .Augusta Aug. 2 5, '62. . Pr. corp. wd. Jerusalem Plank Road, died 

David's Island, N. Y. Harbor, July 22, '64. 

. .Augusta Aug. 25. '62. .M. o. 

. .China Aug. 25. '62. . Pr. sergt. m. o. 



ROSTER 



339 



Name 

Robbins, John L.. . 
Robbins, Philip M. 
Rogers, Henry A. . 

Sewall, Henry 

Small, William B.. 



Smith, Augustus C 

Smith, Charles F 

Smith, Charles R 

Smith, George A 

Stewart, Joseph A 

Sylvester, Alvin 

Tobey, William B 

Trask, Lauriston G. . . 

Tyler, Elias 

Warren, Edwin A 

Webber, Oliver P 

Whittier, Marden 

Whitney, Joseph 

Wing, Stephen 

Worthley, Philander E, 



Age Residence Must 
U. S. 

.25. .China Aug. 

.18. .Chesterville. . . .Aug. 

.18. .China Aug. 

.39. .Augusta Aug. 

. 18 . . Augusta Aug. 

. 42 . . Augusta Aug. 

. 18 . . Augusta Aug. 

.21.. Chesterville .... Aug. 
.19.. Vienna Aug. 

19 . .Windsor Aug. 

.39. .China Aug. 

. 19. .China Aug. 

. 22 . . Augusta Aug. 

.21 . .China Aug. 

, 29 . . Vassalboro Aug. 

.24. .Augusta Aug. 

19. .Chesterville. . . .Aug. 

24. .Augusta Aug. 

21.. Augusta Aug. 

18 . .Augusta Aug. 



ERED INTO Remarks 

. Service 

25, '62. .M. o. 

25,'62..M. o. 

25,;62..M.o. 

25, '62. . Pr. com-sergt. and 2d lieut. 

25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg and Spottsylvania, disch. 
22, '65. 

25,'62..M. o. 

2 5, '62. .Inhosp. since Sept. 5,, '63, disch. June S, "65 

25, '62. .Died, Frederick City Md. Oct. 15, '62. 

25, '62. . Wd. Wilderness, m. o. 

25,'62..Pr. Corp. wd. Wilderness, m. o. 

25.'62. .Tr. V. R. C. Apr. 23, '64. 

25,'62..Wd. Wilderness, m. o^ 

25, '62. . Wd. Wilderness, m. o. 

25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, died July 15. '63. . 

25, '62. .Disc. Mch. 2, '63. 

25, '62. .Reptd. des. June 25, '63. 

25, '62. .M. o. 

25, '62. .Reptd. des. June '63, disch. May 23, '65. 

25, '62. .Killed, Wilderness. 

25, '62. .Tr. V. R. C. Nov. 18, '63. 



RECRUITS AND CONSCRIPTS WHO JOINED 
Ballard, James 30. .Belfast Dec. 



Brown, William 

Bridges, Orrin 

Cain, Daniel 

Carmody, Cornelius. 

Cross, Atwell J 

Crosby, Henry 

Cummings, Alonzo. . 

Day, Phihp W 

Durgan, James H.. . . 
Eastman, Mellen. . . . 

Ellis. William B 

Gill, John H 

Hammond, James. . . 

Hanson, Daniel B.. . 

Hatch, William 

Howard, Elijah .... 

Hurd, John O 

Hysom, John F 

Knights, Nathaniel. , 
Labree, Rinaldo A. . 
Leighton, Alexander 
Marston, Charles L. . 

McLain, David 

Moore, Abijah C 

Potter, Benson 

Randall, Albert N. . 
Rowe, William G. . . . 
Shortwell, Tames. . . . 
Small, William H. H 

Smith, Elisha P 

Spencer, James S. . . . 
Taylor, Slyvester. . . 
Towle, Jeremiah . . . 
Tobian, Roswell . . . . 
Wilson, Adolphus P. 
Young, Zelia W 



. . 29 . . Portland Aug. 

. . 44 . . Bangor Aug. 

. .32. .Portland July 

. . . 39 . . Bangor Sept. 

. . 18. .Vassalboro Aug. 

. . .33 . .Hampden Aug. 

. . 26 . . Bangor Sept. 

. . 36 . .Augusta Sept. 

..31.. Lewiston July 

. . 42 . . Charleston Aug. 

..27.. Lewiston Jan. 

..27.. Chesterville .... Aug. 
, Portland July 



. .23. 

...27 
. .36. 
..20. 
..45. 
..26. 
. .38. 
...28. 
R.25. 
. .18. 
. .23. 
. .30. 
. .30 
.. .21 
.20. 
. .21. 
..22. 
. .40. 
..26. 
..33. 
. .32. 
. .21. 
...19. 
. .20. 



. .China Aug. 

.Dresden Jan. 

. .Washington. . . . Dec. 

, . Belfast Dec. 

. .China Aug. 

. .Portland . . — . .Sept, 
. . Lewiston July 

. Alna July 

.Augusta Mch. 

.St. John, N. B..Feb. 

.No. 5, R. 3 Aug. 

.Elmira Feb. 

. . Portland July 

Augusta Aug. 

.Augusta Aug. 

. Lewiston July 

.Chester Aug. 

. Bangor Sept. 

.Belfast Aug. 

.Enfield Aug? 

. Belfast Dec. 

. Lewiston Aug. 

.Knox Jan. 



COMPANY SUBSEQUENT TO ITS 0RGA.VIZ.\T: 
10, '63. . Pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, died Andersonv 

Oct. 11, '64, erroneously reptd. des. 
14, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st H, A. 
22, '63.. Cons. tr. V. R. C. 
14, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st H. A., abs. at m. o. 
16, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st H. A. 
31, '63. .Cons. disc. Jan. 27, '64. 
12, '63. .Cons, died Feb. 2, '64. 
16, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st H. A. 
15, '64. .Disch. June 3, '65. 
16, '63. .Cons. disc. Mch. 18, '64. 
16, '63. .Cons. disc. Dec. 4, '63. 

6, '64. .Abs. sick, tr. 1st H. A. 
13, '63. .Tr. from Co. A. tr. V. R. C. Dec. 27, '64. 
14, '63. .Cons. pris. Bristoe Statiow, died Andersonv 

Sept. 10, '64. 
f 1,'63. .Cons. wd. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. 1st H. 
12, '64. .Disc. Apr. 26, '64. 

3, '63. . Wd. Wilderness, disc. Jan. 13, '65. 
14, '63. .Died Jan. 29, '64. 
11, '63. .Cons. disc. Apr. 26, '64. 
17, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st H. A. 
16, '63. .Cons. tr. V. R. C. Feb. 10, '64. 
31, '63. .Abs. sick. tr. 1st H. A. 

5, '64. .Tr. Co. B as musician. 

8, '64. .Abs. sick at m. o. 
14, '64. .Cons. tr. V. R. C. Feb. 10, '64. 
28, '64. .Killed on picket. Oct. 5, '64. 
10, '63. .Cons. pr. corp. wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st H. A. 

4, '63. .Cons. disc. Dec. 17, '63. 

4, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st H. A. 
17, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, disc. Mch. 1, '6S. 
13, '63. .Cons. abs. wd. tr. 1st H. A. 
15, '63. .Cons. tr. to navy Apr. 23, '64. 

7, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 
14, '63 . .Cons. abs. sick during term of serv. tr. 1st I 
30,'63. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

5, '63. .Cons. disc. Dec. 7, '63. 

6, '64. .Pris. Reams' Station, disc. May 18, '65. 



SOLDIERS TRANSFERRED TO COMPANY FROM FOURTH MAINE REGIMENT, JUNE IS. 1 



Allum, Richard . . . 

Biker, George. .41 . 
Brown, William L. 
Blinn, Bradford H. 
Carlton, John B. . . 

Call, Timothy 

Colby, Eben E 

Cunningham, Addison 



40. .Bangor Aug. 24, '63. .Cons. tr. from Co. A, pris. Jerusalem Plank 

Road, tr. to 1st H. A. 
'63. .Cons. tr. from Co. A, wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st 
'63. .Cons. tr. V. R. C. 
'62. .Pris. Gettysburg, tr. 1st H. A. 
'62. Wd. Groveton Aug. 29, '62 and Spottsylvani 
'64. .Vet. tr. 1st H. A. 
63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st H. A. 
64.. Vet. tr. 1st H. A. 



. Glenburn Sept 

. Searsmont Aug. 

. Wiscasset Mch. 

.Woolwich Mch. 

.Dresden Jan. 1, 

.Liberty Aug. 22, 

.Washington Jan. 1, 



340 



THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 



Namb 

Dailey, James 22 

Davis, James B 20 

Danforth, George O.. . .21 

Davis, Henry C 18 

Estler, William W 21 

Hunter, Hugh 31 

Jones, Leonard 24 

Light, Elwell 25 

Lee, Peter 35 

McCarrison, Thos. J.... 18 
McMahan, Edward .... 19 

Nelson, Joseph 40 

Pinkham, Thos. F 18 

Quimby, Albert 30 

Stewart, Nathaniel 24 

Stewart, Thomas 18 

Smith, Barnard W 24 

Taylor, Eugene A 21 

Wilbur, George 20 

Wood, George P 19 



Age Residence Mustered into Remarks 

U. S. Service 

. .Portland Sept. 1,'63. .Cons. tr. from Co. A, tr. to 1st H. A. 

. . Lewiston Aug. 27, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st H. A. 

. . Freedom Aug. 2 7, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, disc. Mch. 1, '65. 

. .Portland Aug. 2 4, '63. .Cons, killed. Strawberry Plains. 

. .Readfield Aug. 8, '63. .Cons. Wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st H. A. 

. .Lewiston Aug. 26, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st H. A. 

. .Washington. .. .Nov. 26, '61 . .Corp. disch. Mch. 18, '65. 

..Washington Nov. 26,'61..Tr. 1st H. A. 

. .Lewiston Aug. 2 7, '63. .Cons. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. 1st H. A. 

. .Knox Jan. 6, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, abs. disch. Jan. 14, '65. 

. .Belfast Aug. 24, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st H. A. 

. .Washington. .. .Nov. 26, '61. . Killed on picket, Oct. 16, '64. 

. . Alna June 1S,'61 . . Abs. sick at m. o. tr. 1st H. A. 

. . Waldoboro . . . .Mch. 10, '62. . Pris. Reams' Station, died a prisoner of war. 

. .Dresden Mch. 6, '62. . Disch. Mch. 10, '65, term exp. 

. .Dresden Mch. 10, '62 Disch. Mch. 10, '65, term exp. 

. .Wiscasset Jan. 1,'64. .Vet. tr. 1st H. A. 

, .Gardiner Aug. 26, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, disc. Dec. 8, '64. 

. . Lewiston Aug. 2 7, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, disch. June 10, '65. 

. .Penobscot Oct. 29, '64. . Pr. 2d and 1st lieut. 



SOLDIERS WHO JOINED COMPANY FROM FIFTH COMPANY UNASSIGNED INFANTRY IN 

NOVEMBER 1864. 



Andrews, Gardiner B. . .22 

Cluer, Beniamin 44 

Currier, John M 20 

Hutchinson, James M. 18 

Lane, Daniel 29 

Longley, Albert 18 

Parlin, Franklin 18 

Rowe, Albert S 19 



.Anson Oct. 

. Norridgewock. . Oct. 

.Anson Oct. 

.Anson Oct. 

.Anson Oct. 

. Norridgewock. . Oct. 

.Anson Oct. 

.Anson Oct. 



5, '64. 
5, '64. 
5, '64. 
5, '64. 
5, '64. 
5, '64. 
5, '64. 
5, '64. 



Russell, Joel S 36. .Anson Oct. 5, '64. 



.Tr. 1st H. A. 

.Tr. 1st H. A. 

. Wd. Nov. 18, '64, tr. 1st H. A. 

.Tr. 1st H. A. 

.Tr. 1st H. A. 

. Wd. Nov. 6, '64, tr. 1st H. A. 

.Tr. 1st H. A. 

. Mortally wd. near Ft. Haskell, Oct. 22, died 

Nov. 25, '64. 
. Disch. June S, '65. 



SOLDIERS WHO VOLUNTEERED 



Stephen R. Gordon. 
Jesse A. Dorman . . 
Charles P. Garland 
John F. Stackpole 
George E. Webber . 

Stephen A. Abbott 
Francis P. Furber . 



Samuel S. Holbrook 
George F. Hopkins . 

Hollis F. Arnold 

James T. Waldron . . 
George H. Willey . . . 
Alfred T. Dunbar . . . 



.30. .Clinton... 
.24. .Canaan. . 
.21 . .Winslow. 

.35. .Albion 

.21 . .Gardiner. 

.21. .Winslow. 
.37 . .Clinton. . . 



Henry B. Washburn 

William G. Stratton . 

Abbott, Albert A 

Abbott, Daniel B 

Adams, Benjamin. . . . 
Brookings, Samuel C 

Burrill, Charles E 

Carr, Rinaldo A 

Clark, John S 

Collins, Alphonzo C. . , 

Coro, Joseph 

Dodge, Martin V. B.. . 

Edgerly, Richard 

Estes, John H 

Estes, Redford M 

Fairbrother, Isaac W. 



27 . .Athens. . 
.23. .Albion. . . 
.23. .Palermo. 
.22 . .Canaan. . 
.20. .Clinton. . 
.18. .Winslow. 

.32. .China. . . 



.36. .Albion. 



.21. .Winslow. 
.27.. Winslow . 



. 27 . . Vassalboro. 
.21. .Pittston. . . 
. 21 . .Canaan. . . . 
.21.. Palermo , . . 
. 35 . .Gardiner . . 

.18. .Chelsea 

.21. .China 

. 23 . . Palermo. . . 
. 23. . Bowdoin. . . 
.19.. Vassalboro . 
.21.. Vassalboro . 
21. .China 



COMP.'iNY H. 

AND JOINED COMPANY AT ITS ORGANIZATION. 

SERGEANTS 
.Aug. 25,'62..Pr. 2d lieut. 

.Aug. 2 5, '62. .Mortally wounded Gettysburg, died July 6, '63. 
.Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, pr. 2d and 1st lieut. 
.Aug. 25,'62..Pr. 1st sergt. killed, Gettysburg. 
.Aug. 2 5, '62. .Mortally wd. Gettysburg, died July 7, '63. 

CORPORALS 
.Aug. 25, '62.. Disc. Jan. 16, '63. 
.Aug. 25,'62..Pr. sergt. wd. Gettysburg, pr. 1st sergt., wd. 

Wilderness, abs. at m. o. 
.Aug. 25, "62.. Disc. Oct. 6, '63. 
.Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Wilderness, disc. Feb. 20, '65. 
.Aug. 25, '62. .Killed, Gettysburg. 

.Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. sergt. wd. Gettysburg, died Apr. 9, '64. 
.,\ug. 25, '62. .Killed, Gettysburg. 
.Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. sergt. wd. Wilderness, absent at m. o. 

MUSICIAN 
.Aug. 25,'62..M. o. 

WAGONER 
.Aug. 25,'62..M. o. 

PRIVATES 
.Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Jan. 17, '63. 
.Aug. 25,'62..Wd. Gettysburg and Wilderness, tr. V. R. C. 

Aug. 10, '64. 
.Aug. 25,'62..Tr. V. R. C. Dec. 5, '64. 
..^ug. 25, '62. .Pr. corp. killed Gettysburg. 
.Aug. 25,'62..M. o. 

.Aug. 25, '62. .Wd. Gettysburg, disc, for wds. Jan. 23, '64. 
.Aug. 25,'62..M. o. 
.Aug. 25, '62. .Absent sick at m. o. 
.Aug. 25,'62. . Wd. Gettysburg, tr. V. R. C. 
.Aug. 25,'62..Wd. Gettysburg, killed, Spottsylvania. 
.Aug. 2 5, '62. . Des. Aug. 2 7, '62 on way to Washington. 
.Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, supposed to have died. 
.Aug. 25. '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, in hosp. at m. o. 
Aug. 25, '62. .Tr. V. R. C. Oct. !. '63. 



ROSTER 



341 



Name 

Farnham, Albert P. . . 

Foye, Arnold L 

Gerald, William F 

Goodridge, Drew 

Hamlen, Charles L. . . . 

Handy, Eben 

Hodgdon, Isaac C. . . . 
Hopkins, Lewis E. . . . 

James, Charles H 

James, Josephus 

Jewell, Joseph 

Jewell, William 

Jewett. Henry S 

Kimball, George H. . . 
Leonard, William . . . . 
Libbey, Charles H. . . . 

Marson, Alden 

Martin, Reuben D. . . . 
McKinney Fairfield S, 
McKinney, James M. . 
Merrill, Sumner 

Marrow, Thomas W. . 
Murphy, Hamlen H. . 

Nado, Joseph 

Noyes, William H. . . 

Page, John E 

Page, Isaac L 

Page, Reuben H 

Parmenter. Allen . . . . 
Patterson, Henry L.. . 
Perkins, George M.. . . 

Philips, James 

Prescott, Chailes 

Ramsdell, Charles E. 

Reed, Jesse 

Richards, Elmerin W. 
Richardson, Luke T. . 
Seavey, James O. . . . 

Small, Jam.es L 

Stinson, Orrin F 

Tarr, John W 

Taylor, William 

Taylor, Howard H. . . 

Tiask, James O 

Tobey, Warren H. . . . 

Tuttle, Manter 

Tattle, Lyman P. . . . 

Tyler, James M 

Walker, John F 

Washburn, Augustus 

Webber, John M 

Webster, Charles E. . 
Wells, Frederic L. ... 
Wheeler, George E. . . 
Whitten, Charles T. . 
Whitten, George .... 

White, Ivory D 

Williams, Nicholas . . 

Wilson, John S 

Withee, Bradley B. . . 

Withee, John 

Wood. Albert O 

Wood, William F 

Worthen, Olney 

Worthen, Eugene . . . 

Wyman, James 

Young, Benjamin . . . 



Age Residence Mustered into Remarks 

U. S. Service 

.Albion Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Jan. 9, '65. 

.Palermo Aug. 25, '62. .Disch. June 12, '6S. 

.CHnton Aug. 25, '62. .Wd. Gettysburg, disc. Feb. 9, '65. 

.Canaan Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, disc. Dec. 5, '63. 

. Vassalboro Aug. 25,'62. . Wd. Gettysburg, tr. V. R C 

.Albion Aug. 25, '62. .M. o. 

.Clinton Aug. 2 5, '62. .M. o. 

.Albion Aug. 25, '62. .Disch. May 10, '65. 

.Pittston Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Feb. 6, '63. 

.Pittston Aug. 25, '62. .Wd. Gettysburg, disc. Nov. 12, '63. 

• Canaan Aug. 25, '62. .Tr. V. R. C. Jan. 15, '64. 

.Canaan Aug. 25, '62. .Tr. V. R. C. 

.Westbrook Aug. 25,'62..M. o. 

.Chelsea Aug. 2 5, '62. . Dropped from rolls by order Gen. Howard. 

• Albion Aug. 2 5, '62. .Wd. Gettysburg, pr. corp. wd. Wilderness, 

.Albion Aug. 25, '62. .Wd. Gettysburg, m. o. 

.Pittston Aug. 25, '62. . Reptd. des. while reg. was en route to Fre 

.Canaan Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, tr. V. R. C. 

Clinton Aug. 25, '62. . Det. teamster, m. o. 

• CHnton Aug. 25, '62. .Des. at Falmouth, Va., Jan. 28, '63. 

.Winslow Aug. 25, '62. .Det. in 1st. R. I. arty., oris, while on picket 

5, '64, disch. May 15. '65. 
Wd. Cold Harbor, m. o. 
Pr. coro., wd. Spottsylvania, m. o. 
Disc, Apr. 10, '63. 
Disc, Feb. 18, '63. 



• 18. 
.26. 
.19. 
.29. 
.26. 
.41. 
.29. 
.18. 
.19. 
.37. 
.19. 
.21. 
.23. 
.25. 
.28. 
.18. 
.42. 
.44 
,20. 

.27 
.22. 

.22. 
.18. 
.44. 
.25. 
.23. 
.20. 
.18. 
.24. 
.18. 
.19. 
.20. 
.18. 

.18. 

• 35. 
.18. 
.19. 
.27. 
.31. 
.26. 
.21, 
.25. 
.30. 

• 21. 

• 21. 
.18. 
.18. 

• 19^ 

• 20. 
,22. 
.18. 

• 42. 
.27. 
,25. 

• 32. 
.37. 

• 19^ 
43. 

,34^ 
26. 
19. 

.23. 

.18. 

.22. 

,20. 

,21. 
45. 



25, '62. 



•Canaan Au_ 

.Friendship . . . .Aug. 25, '62 

.Albion Aug. 25, '62 

. Gardiner Aug 

.Chelsea Aug 



And 



25, '62. 

25, '62.. Disc, Apr. 10, '63. 

.Chelsea Aug. 25, '62. .Disc, Jan. 9. '64. 

.Chelsea Aug. 25, '62. .Disc, Feb. 5, '63. 

.Albion Aug. 25, '62. .Disc, Apr. 10, '63. 

.Augusta Aug. 25, '62. .Tr. V. R. C. Sept. 1, '63. 

.Chelsea Aug. 25,'82. .Tr. V. R. C. Mch. IS, '64. 

.Vassalboro . . . .Aug. 25, '62. .Disc, Jan. 21. '63. 

.Hartland Aug. 25,'62. . Pris. Jerusalem Plank Road. died. 

ville, Jan. 7, '65. 

.Pittston Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. corp., wd. Wilderness, pr. sergt., m.o. 

.Gardiner Aug. 25,'62. .Tr. V. R. C. Nov. 1, '63. 

.Winslow Aug. 25, '62. .Det. in pioneer corps., m. o. 

.Canaan Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, killed, Spottsylvania. 

.Boothbay Aug. 25. '62. . Pr. corp. and sergt. disch., June 12. '65. 

.Pittston Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. corp., wd. Spottsylvania, disch. Mch. ; 

.Albion Aug. 25. '62. .Died at home. Dec. IS, '64. 

.Pittston Aug. 25, '62. .Disc Feb. 7. '63. 

.Winslow Aug. 25, '62. .Killed. Gettysburg. 

.Winslow Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Wilderness, m. o. 

.China Aug. 25. '62. .Disc, Feb. 18, '63. 

.Vassalboro . . . .Aug. 25. '62. .Disc, Jan. 25, '63. 

.Canaan Aug. 25, '62. .Died. Jan. 25. '63. 

.Athens Aug. 25, '62. .Des. Feb. 6, '63. 

.Albion Aug. 25, '62. .Killed, near Petersburg. Oct. 24. '64. 

.Winslow Aug. 25, '62. . App't'd. fifer, m. o. 

.Canaan Aug. 25, '62. .Wd. Gettysburg, disc. Oct. 28, '63. 

• Gardiner Aug^ 25, '62. .Disc, Aug. 27, '63. 

.Pittston Aug. 25. '62. .Disc. Dec. 4. '62. 

.Pittston Aug. 25. '62. .Tr. to navy. Apr. 25. '64. 

Wd. Gettysburg, m. o. 
Tr. V. R. C. Mch. 31. '64. 



• Canaan Aug. 25. '62. 

.Albion Aug. 25. '62. 



.Clinton Aug. 25. '62. .Disc, Mch. S. '63. 



.Canaan Aug. 25. '62. 

.W. Gardiner . .Aug. 25, '62. 



M. 

Disch., May 22, '65. 

.Winslow Aug. 25, '62, .Died of wds. rec'd at Petersburg, Nov. 13. '< 

.Winslow Aug. 25. '62. .M. o. 

.Winslow Aug. 25, '62 . .Det. as cattle guard m. o. 

• Gardiner Aug. 25, '62. . Hosp, Sept. 30, '62. died, date & place unk 

.Winslow Aug. 2 5, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, pr. corp., killed. Wildeme 

.Albion Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. July 10, '63. 

.Albion Aug. 25. '62. .Disc, Feb. 6, '63. 

. Hermon Aug. 25, '62. .Killed, Gettysburg. 

.Pittston Aug. 25, '62.. Wd, Gettysburg, tr. V. R. C. Sept. 1. "63. 



RECRUITS AND CONSCRIPTS WHO JOINED COMPANY SUBSEQUENT TO ITS ORGANIZA' 

Allen, Tenney M 18. .Sedgwick Dec. lS,'64..Tr. 1st. H. A. 

Basford, Andrew J. . . .30. . Waterville Aug. 17, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, pris. Reams' St 

disch.. May 29. '65. 



342 



THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 



Name Age Residence 
Babb, Mark G 30 



Must 

U. S. 

Gardiner Aug 



Baston, Henry .... 
Bigelow, Chailes L. 



.C. Elizabeth . .Aug 
.St. Albans Aug 



18, '63. 
6, '63. 



Brown, Frank 33. .Albion Aug. 15, '63 



Brann, Sanford .... 
Bradford Columbus G 
Bumpus, Jason .... 

Carr, Patrick 

Cayford, Jackson . . . , 
Cheesman, John W. 
Corbett, Lorenzo D. 

Dillon, James 

Fairbanks, Benj. F. . , 
Ferren, Elisha Jr. . . , 
French, Albert V. . . . 

Fuller, George 

Foster, Benj. W 

Fields, Frank 

Gridley, Joseph W.. . 

Gross, Reuben , 

Hanson, John B 

Huntley, John 

Jewett, William H.. . 
Judkins, Marcellus H. 
Judkins, Charles W. . 
Kenney, Thomas . . . 
Leavitt, Benjamin F. 

Libby, Daniel 

Morrison, Theodore T 
Murray, Thomas . . 
McLaughlin, John. . 
Ober, William H. . . 

Over, Ezra A 

Patterson, Jacob. . . 
Pennel, Zina B. . . . 
Pinkham, Nahum B. 
Pollard, John H.... 

Reed, Levi M 

Rines, George A 

Runnells, Benjamin 

Smiley, Ellis 

Smiley, Augustine P 
Smith, George L. 



Smith, Frederick. . 

Stoddard, William C 
Stewart, Charles H. 
Taylor, Augustus D 
Tucker, George . . . 



.28, 
18. 

.26. 

.20. 

.34. 

.32. 

.25. 

.18. 

.24. 

.18. 

.25. 

.19. 

.26. 

.18. 

.20. 

.22. 

.22. 

.21. 

.21. 

.22. 

.29. 

.41. 

.21. 

.19. 
19. 

.25. 

.20. 

.24. 

.18. 

.25. 

.18. 

.20. 

.31. 

.18. 
.18. 
33. 
.25. 
.21. 
.23. 



.Gardiner Aug. 

.Patten Sept. 

.No. 5 Sept. 

. Portland Mch. 

.Fairfield Aug. 

. Whitney ville ..Jan. 

.Philips July 

. Whitney ville ..Feb. 
. W. Gardiner . .Aug. 

. Steuben Feb. 

.Augusta Aug. 

.England Apr. 

. Pittsfield Aug. 

.Lee Sept. 

.C. Elizabeth . .."lug. 

. Ellsworth Feb. 

. Starks Sept. 

. Machias Aug. 

.Gardiner Aug. 

.Prentiss Sept 

. Prentiss Sept. 

. Ellsworth Feb. 

. Levant Aug. 

.Windham Aug. 

.Sherman Sept 

. Eastport Sept 

.Springfield . . . .Sept 

. Ellsworth Feb. 

. Steuben Feb. 

. Gardiner Aug. 

. Whitneyville ..Jan. 

.Anson Aug. 

. Hodgdon Sept. 

.Lee Sept. 

. Oldtown Sept. 

. Albion Aug. 

. Winslow Aug. 

.Sidney Aug. 

. Winthorp Aug. 



ERED INTO Remarks 

Service 

10, '63. .Cons. pris. Wilderness, died Augusta, Ga. prison 
July, '64. 

Sub. wd. Wilderness, disc. Dec. 16. '64. 

Sub. pris. Wilderness, died Andersonville, Sept. 
3, 64. 

Sub. wd. Bristoe Station, Wilderness and also 
Oct. 13, '64, tr. 1st. H. A. 
10, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, disc, Mch. 21, '65. 
21, '63. .Sub. disc, Jan. 18, '65. 

21, '63. .Cons. wd. Bristoe Station, disc. Jan. 11, '65. 
17,_'65..Tr. 1st. H. A. 

18, '63. .Cons. wd. Spottsylvania, disc. Oct. 30, '64. 
23,'6S..Tr. 1st. H. A. 
31, '63. .Cons. tr. V. R. C. 
21, '65. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 
10, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 
21, '65. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

Sub. wd. Spottsylvania, tr. V. 

Wd., ReaiTis' Station. 

Cons. pr. Corp., tr. 1st. H. A. 

Sub., pris. Reams' Station, tr. 1st. H. 

Sub., wd. North Anna, tr. 1st. H. A. 



R. C. 



A. 



.25. .St. George Sept. 7, '63 



.22. 
.28. 
.19. 
.25. 

, .18 
.22. 



.Gardiner -'^ug 

.Gardiner Aug, 

Rumford Feb. 

.No. 6 Aug. 

. Patten Aug 

. Robbinston. . . .Aug. 



8, '63. 

29, '64. 

17, '63. 

1.'63. 

17, '63. 

8. '65. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 
23, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 
18, '63. .Sub., wd. Spottsylvania, tr. 1st. H. A. 
8, '63. .Cons., wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st. H. A. 
. 18, '65. .Cons., disc, Jan. 13, '65. 
18, '63. .Cons., wd. Bristoe Station, tr. 1st. H. A. 

3, '65. .Tr. Ist.H. A. 
10, '63. .Sub. tr. 1st. H. A. 
17,'63..Tr. 1st. H. A. 
. 18, '63. .Sub. died, Dec. 16. '63, Stevensburg, Va. 

18, '63. .Sub. died, Mch. 5, '64. 
. 21, '63. .Sub., died, Oct. 17, '64, at Washington. 
8,'6S..Tr. 1st. H. A. 
21, '65. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 
10, '63. .Cons., tr. to navy Apr. 16, '64. 
27,'65..Tr. 1st. H. A. 

17, '63. .Cons., wd. Spottsylvania, tr. 1st. H. A. 
16, '63.. Sub. pr. corp., wd. Spottsylvania, died, Finley 

hosp.. Wash., May 29, '64. 
18, '63. .Sub., tr. 1st. H. A. 
17, '63. .Sub. disc, Jan. 3, '64. 

4, '63. .Cons., tr. 1st. H. A. 
17, '63. .Cons. disc. Jan. 19, '65. 
10, '63. .Cons, died, Stevensburg, Va., Jan. 5, '64. 
10, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, pris. Reams' Station, died, 
Annapolis, Md. paroled prisoner, Oct. 28, '64. 
Sub., reptd. des., Oct. 14, '63, probably prisoner 
at Bristoe Station. 
10, '63. .Cons., tr. to navy, Apr. 16, '64. 
10, '63. .Cons. pris. Reams' Station, disch., June 5, '65. 
24, '64. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

13, '63. .Cons., wd. Bristoe Station and Spottsylvania, 
tr. 1st. H. A. 
Sub., wd. Oct. 13, '64, died, Apr. 28, '65. 
Sub., wd. Bristoe Station and Wilderness, 

disch. May 19, '65. 
Sub., mortally wd. North Anna, died, June 17, '64 



19, '63. 
12, '63. 



Waters. Byron G.. . 
White, George . . . 

Whitney, Charles B 20. .Lee .\ug. 26, '63 

SOLDIERS TRANSFERED TO COMPANY FROM FOURTH MAINE REGIMENT JUNE IS, 1864 



Allen, Charles W. . . 
Brackett, Charles W. 
Carter, Edwin J. ... 

Cox, George 

Clough, John 

Downs, Samuel N. . . 
Emeiton, Andrew L. 

Eugley, James M. . . 
Furbish, Abram J. . . 
Heal, William I. ... 
Jackson, Joel 



. 19 . .Sedgwick Jan. 1,'64 

. 19. .Houlton Nov. 9, '61 

.21 . .Sedgwick Nov. 9, "61 

.40.. Bangor Nov. 9, '61. 

.20. .Bluehill Nov. 9, '61. 

. 23. .Winterport ...Jan. 1,'64 
.21 . .Brooksville . . . .Nov. 9, '61 

. 24. . JefEerson June 15, '61. 

.24. .N. Vineyard . .Jan. 1,'64 

.21.. Belmont Dec. 4, '63. 

.28. .Montville Nov. 9, '61. 



.Vet. pr. Corp., tr. 1st. H. A. 
. Wd. Gettysburg, abs. at m. o. 
.Disch. exp. term. 
. Disch. exp. term. 
. Disc. exp. term. 

. Vet. pr. corp. wd. Petersburg, disc, Mch. 16, '65 
. .Pris. Gettysburg, abs. sick, never joined 

company. 
. Disch. exD. term. 
.Vet., tr. ist. H. A. 

.Pris. while on picket, Nov. 5, '64, tr. 1st. H. A. 
.Corp., wd. North Anna, disc, exp. term. 



ROSTER 



34? 



Name 

Jewell, John H. . . 
Jewell, George . . 
Johnson, Andrew 
McMahan, Daniel 
Mink, Edward . . 
Moore, Charles F. 
Randall, Andrew. 
Reed, Jared R. . . 
Ring, Cyrus. L. . 



Age Residence Muste 
U. S. 

.Dixmont Aug. 

.Dixmont Aut;. 

.Stowe Aug. 

. Prospect Jan. 

.Waldoboro . . . .Jan. 

.Knox Jan. 

. Brooks Jan. 

.Mt. Desert . . . .Jan. 
.Casco Dec. 



.21. 
.33. 
.40. 
.23. 
.21. 
.24. 
.18. 
.27. 
.20. 



RED INTO Re.MARKS 

Service 

24, '63. .Cons., pris. Nov. 5, '64, tr. 1st. H. A. 

24, '63. .Cons., tr. 1st. H. A. 

27, '63. .Cons., disch., June 5, '65. 

1,'64. .Vet., died, Sept. 27, '64, buried City Point. 

1, '64.. Vet., tr. 1st. H. A. 

1, '64.. Vet., tr. 1st. H. A. 

1,'64. .Vet., disch., Mav 11. "65. 

1,'64. .Vet. Corp., tr. 1st. H. A. 
30, '63. . Pris. Reams' Station, died, Salisbury pi 
Dec. 1, '64. 

9, '61 . . Wd. and pris. Gettysburg, disch., exp. term, 

1,'64. .Vet., tr. 1st. H. A. 
12, '62. .Corp., wd. Cold Harbor, disc. Mch. 7. '65. 

1,'64. .Vet. sergt. pr. 2d. lieut. co. H. 

9, '61. .Mus., abs. sick at m. o. 

1, '64. . Vet., missing Apr. 2, '65. 

SOLDIERS WHO JOINED COMPANY FROM FIFTH COMPANY UNASSIGNED INFANTR"! 

NOVEMBER 1864. 
5, '64. 



Rose, Charles 28. 

Sawyer, Ferdinand E..18. 
Sherman, Frank A. . . .20. 

Tripp, William H 18. 

Webster, John 32 . 

Young, Morrison 22 . 



. Bangor Nov. 

. Knox Jan. 

.Knox Aug. 

. Sedg'/vick Jan. 

. Bluehill Nov. 

.Belmont Jan. 



Bush, James L 24. .Clinton Oct. 



Groves, Jonathan ... .41 
Merrow, Shepherd H.. . 18 
Salsbury, Charles H. . . 19 
Weymouth, Marshall . 29 
Waldron, James W. . .22 



.Mercer Oct. 

.Oldtown Oct. 

.Canaan Oct. 

.Clinton Oct. 

.Clinton Oct. 



Webber, Retire W 24. .Clinton Oct. 



Corp., disch., June 5, '65. 
5, '64. .Sergt., pris. Boydton Road. 
5,'64..Tr. 1st. H. A. 
5, '64. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 
5,'64..Tr. 1st. H. A. 
5,'64..Tr. 1st. H. A. 
5,'64..Disc., June 15, '65. 



Company I. 
SOLDIERS WHO VOLUNTEERED AND JOINED COMPANY AT ITS ORGANIZATION. 

SERGEANTS 

.19. .Rockland Aug. 25, '62. . Disc. Dec. 9, '62. 

.23.. Camden Aug. 25, '62, 

.26. .Rockland Aug. 2 5, '62. 

.26. .Bremen Aug. 25, '62. 

.34. . Vinalhaven .. .Aug. 25, '62. 

CORPORALS 

.Rockland Aug. 2S,'62. . Pr. capt. 

.Camden Aug. 25, '62. 

.Vinalhaven . . . Aug. 25,'62. 

..\ppIeton Aug. 25, '62. 

.Camden Aug. 25, '62. 

Rockland Aug. 25, '62. 



Henry H. Earle 
George R. Palmer . 
James M. Higgins . 
Francis W. Rhoades 
Stephen Colbum . . 



Edgar A. Burpee . . 
Albion K. Hewitt . , 
Reuben T. Carver . . 
William A. Evans . 
George E. Sherwood 
William E. Barrows 
Joseph G. Maddocks 
Peleg Wiley 



.22. 

.37. 

.25. 
..27. 

.26. 
. .32. 

.25. 
. .31, 



Pr. 2d. and 1st. lieut. 
.Died, Dec. 8, '62. 
.Killed, Gettysburg. 

Died, Nov. 1, '62. 



Red, at own request, disc, Dec, 30, 
, Red, tr. signal corps. Jan. 1, '64. 

.Wd. Frederidkburg, disc. Feb. 16, 
.Red. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road. 
. Pr. sergt. killed, Gettysburg. 



'62, 
'63. 



James W, Packard , . , 19 , 
Alexander Dumphe ,.29 

Hiram Whitten 32 

Arey, Hiram F 18 

Anderson, Edwin 32 

Bachelder LaForest P. 19 

Barter, George W 24 

Benjamin, Addison, , , .44 

Benner, Orrin P 30 , 

Black, Gorham L 18. 

Bowley, Harrison B. . .36 
Bray, Francis E 21 



S. Thomaston. . Aug, 25, '62, , Red, wd, Gettysburg, tr. V, R, C, Mch, IS 
.Camden Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Dec. 13, '62. 

MUSICIANS 

.Rockland Aug. 25, '62. Died, Dec, 18, '62, 

.Vinalhaven ...Aug. 25,'62..M. o. 

WAGONER 
.Rockland Aug. 25,'62..M. o. 

PRIVATES 
.Vinalhaven ...Aug. 25, '62. .Tr. to navy, Apr. 23, '64. 



Camden Aug. 25, '62. 

Camden Aug, 2 5,'62 , 

.Boothbay Aug, 25, '62, 

Whitefield Aug, 2 5, '62. 



Butler, Caleb P. 

Cables, John H 

Calph, John 

Carey, John F 

Carey, Robert H, , , , 
Carver, Francis S,, . . 
Carver, Lafayette . . 

Choate, Benjamin F. 

Clapp, Hiram 

Clark, Joseph L, . . , 

Clark, Luther 

Cleveland, James S. 



.35 
.18 
.27 
.35 
.25 
.18 
.24 

.33'. 

.40 
.26 
.21. 
.19. 



25, '62. 
25, '62. 
25, '62. 



Tr, to navy, Apr, 23, '64. 

Disc, Dec, 29, '62. 

Wd. Gettysburg, tr. to navy, Apr. 23, '64. 

Abs. sick at M. o. 

.Camden Aug. 25, '62. .Died, Jan. 20, '63. Marine hosn. Baltimore. 

.Rockland Aug. 25,'62..Wd. Gettysburg, tr. V. R. C. June 18. '64. 

25, '62. . Pr. Corp. wd. Jerusalem Plank Road, m. o 
.Died, Jan. 1, '63. 
. Died in hosp. at St. Louis, Mo., May 2, '65 

Disc Mch. 17. '64. 
.M. o. 

.Killed, Gettysburg. 
.Disc. Apr. 10, '63. 
, M. o, 

Pr, s'iTgt. pr. 2d. lieut. 
Plank Road. 

Abs. sick at m. o. 

Wd. Gettysburg, disc 

Pr. 2 1. lieut. 

Wd. Gottv.>burg, tr, V, R. C. Feb. 16, '64, 

Di.sc. Jai, 14, '63. 



Camden Aug 

. Vinalhaven . . . Aug 

. Appleton Aug 

.Rockland Aug, 

.Appleton Aug. 25, '62 

.Camden Aug. 25, '62 

.Camden Aug. 25, '62 

.Vinalhaven ...Aug. 25, '62 
.Vinalhaven .. .Aug. 25, '62 



.Whitefield Aug. 2 5. '62. 

, .Appleton Aug, 25, '62, 

, Rockland Aug. 2 5, '62. 

.Rockland .\ug. 25, '62, 

.Camdan Aug. 25, '62. 



mortally wd. Jeru: 



Sept. IS, '63. 



344 



THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 



Name Age Residence Mustered into Remarks 

U. S. Service 

Cobb. George S 21 . .Camden Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. corp. wd. Wilderness, killed, Boydton Road. 

Conway, Orrin T 29. .Vinalhaven. . . .Aug. 2 5, '62. . Pr. corp. wd. Gettysburg, died, Sept. 1, '63. 

Creamer, Roscoe D. . . 18. .Bremen Aug. 25, '62, .Tr. V. R. C. Sept. 30, '63. 

Dodge, Adrian C 21. .Rockland Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, tr. V. R. C. 

Dyer, Alden W 19. .S. Thomaston Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. corp. wd. Gettysburg, pris. Jerusalem Plank 

Road, disch. June 12, '65. 

Farnham. George N. . . 18. .Camden Aug. 25, '62. .Died, Dec. 25, '62. 

Farnham, Samuel 43. .Whitefield Aug. 2S,'62..Tr. V. R. C. July. 19 '63. 

Fisk, Franklin 18. .Camden Aug. 25. '62. .Died, July 16, '63. 

Flagg. Micah 39. .Camden Aug. 25, '62. .Died, May 17, '63. 

Greenleaf, Ebenezer . .44. .Whitefield . . . .Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Apr. 10, '63. 

Hanson, Llewellyn . . .20. .Camden Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Mch. 4, '63. 

Hemenway, Calvin ... 18. .Camden Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. May 20, '63. 

Higgins, John H 39 . .Camden Aug. 2 5, '62. . Det. as teamster m. o. 

Holmes, George E 19. .Rockland Aug. 25,'62. . Pr. corp. and sergt., wd. Gettysburg and 

Spottsylvania, died, June 15, '64. 

Hutchings, Zuinglous. .27. .Apoleton Aug. 25, '62. .M. o. 

Jackson, Nahum R. . .19. .Rockland Aug. 25, '62. . Died, Jan 7, '63. 

Jacobs, Edwin S 22..Appleton Aug. 25, '62. .Wd. Gettysburg and Spottsylvania, disc. Jan. 

14, '65. 

Joice. Harvey C 18. .Camden Aug. 25, '62. .Killed, Cold Harbor. 

kinsell, Albion R 36. .Whitefield Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Nov. 11, '63. 

Kittridge, William W. 21. .Vinalhaven . . .Aug. 25, '62. .Det. in arty, brig., m. o. 

La.mb, Daniel G 32. .Camden .\\ij. 2 5, '62. . Pr. corp. wd. Gettysburg, abs. at m. o. 

Lane, Charles E 18. .Whitefield Aug. 25, '62. .Died, Feb. 22, '63. 

Little, Thomas 27. .Bremen Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, abs. at m. o. 

Little, Otis 21 . .Bremen Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. corp. killed, Jerusalem Plank Road. 

Little, William H., Jr. 25. .Bremen .\ug. 25, '62. .Pr. sergt., wd. Spottsylvania, disc. Apr. 26, '6S 

Luiwig, Alexander. . . .44. .Camden Aug. 25, '62. . Disc. Jan. 31, '63. 

Mariner, Leander S. . .18. .Camden Aug. 25, '62. .Died, Ft. Baker, D. C, Sept. 27, '62. 

Mcintosh, James H.. . . 18. .Vinalhaven . . .Aug. 25, '62. .Det. at div. hdqrs., m. o. 
Merriman, Isaac W. .. 19 . .S. Thomaston .Aug. 25, '62 .. Disc. Apr. 9, '63. 

Mills, Tames P 35. .Vinalhaven . . .Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, disc. Dec. 7, '63. 

Myrick, Martin V 23. .Vinalhaven . . .Aug. 25, '62. . Wd. Wilderness, disc. Mch. 20, '6S. 

Norton, Joseph H 20. .Vinalhaven . ..Aug. 2S,'62..Wd. Gettysburg and Wilderness, pris. Jerusalem 

Plank Road. disc. Aug. 1, '65. 

Ogier. George L 18. .Camden Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Feb. 6, '63. 

Overlock. Ansel A. . . .21. .Liberty Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Mch. 3, '63. 

Oxton, Amos B 19. .Camden Aug. 2 5, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, absent at m. o. 

Perry. Chandler F. . . .26. .S. Thomaston. .Aug. 2 5, '62. . Pr. sergt. killed, Gettysburg. 

Pierce, Freeman G. ... 19 . .Vinalhaven ...Aug. 25, '62. .Wd. Spottsylvania, m. o. 

Place, James H 28. .Rockland Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. May 29, '63. 

Racklift". y/illiam N.. . .22. .Rockland Aug. 25,'62. .Tr. V. R. C. Sept. 26, '64. 

Richardson, Charles S..38. .Rockland Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. May 13, '63. 

Shepherd, George W. .18. .Camden Aug. 2 5, '62. .Det. in q. m. dept. m. o. 

Shibles, Rufus Jr 23. .Camden Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. corp. wd. Gettysburg, tr. V. R. C. 

Shibles. William H. ... 18. .Camden Aug. 25, '62. .Died Feb. 2, '63. 

Simonton. W. H. H. . .21. .Camden Aug. 25, '62. .Died Feb. 12, '63. 

Studley, George 28. .Camden Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. sergt. and 2d. lieut. co. A. 

Sumner, John F 19. .Camden Aug. 2 5, '62. .Disc. Mch. 5, '63. 

Taylor. Solomon 31. .Rockland Aug. 2 5, '62. .Disc. Feb. 1, '64. 

Thorndike, Warren B. 21.. Camden Aug. 25,'62. . Pr. corp. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, died 

Anderson ville, Mch. 30, '65. 

Tolman, David 23. .Camden Aug. 25, '62. .Abs. sick at m. o. disc. May 23, '66. 

Turner. George S 18. .Bremen Aug. 25, '62. .Wd. Gettysburg, died July 19, '63. 

Twitche'l, Isaac J 33 . .Vinalhaven ...Aug. 25, '62. . Disc. Apr. 20, '63. 

Vinal, John 34. .Vinalhaven . . . .Aug. 2 5, '62. . Wd. Gettysburg, no further record. 

Vinal, Worster S 18 . .Vinalhaven ...Aug. 25,'62..Pr. corp. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, disch. 

June 12, '65. 

Vinal, Calvin B 20. .Vinalhaven . . .Aug. 2S,'62. .Tr. V. R. C. Feb. 10, '64. 

Warren, Sylvanus 44. .Whitefield Aug. 25, '62. .Det. hosp. attendant, sick at m. o. 

Webster, Henry 21 . . Appleton Aug. 25, '62. . Died Nov. 16, '62. 

West, Hosea 42. .Rockland Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Aug. 18, '63. 

Wheeler, Jeremiah ... .44. .Whitefield .'Vug. 25, '62. .Disc. Mch. 31, '63. 

Wilson, Joseph W. . . .28. .Camden Aug. 2 5, '62. .Killed, Gettysburg. 

Witherspoon, A. L. ..24.. Camden Aug. 25,'62. . Pr. sergt. m. o. 

RECRUITS AND CONSCRIPTS WHO JOINED COMPANY SUBSEQUENT TO ITS ORGANIZATION' 

Anderson, John 21 . .Portland Aug. 13, '63. .Cons, died Andersonville, June 28, '64, record^ 

disch. do not disclose when captured. 

Anderson. C. S 25. .Richmond Feb. 10, '65. .Disc, for pr. in regular army. 

Baker, Joseph 23. . Lewiston Aug. 4, '63. .Cons, reptd. des. Oct. 14, '63, probably taken 

pris. on that day. 



ROSTER 



345 



Name 



Age 



Bogue, Edward 29 



Bowen, Jeremiah 
Brady, George. . 
Campbell, Thomas 
Clark, John . . 
Cleary, Dennis 
Curran, John 
Cummings, John 
Dailey, Edward 
Dixon, John H. 
Dowling, John. 
Dulley, Henry, i 
Emerson, John 
Flye, Frank . . 
Gray, Joab. . . . 
Gregory', Elvirus E 
Harrigan, Patrick 
Hall, William H.. 



Henderson, Joseph 
Hunter, John G. . . 
Jackson, Edward . . 
Kelley, Francis . . . 
Knox, Sylvanus . . . 
Larkin, Peter 



Lang, John L 

McAllister, Alvin .... 
McKay, Anthony F.. . 
Meservey, Dexter . . . 

Miller, Charles B 

Miles, Andrew J 

Mulligan, Francis. . . . 
Nickerson, Ingraham 

Norris, Henry 

O'Connor, Timothy . . 
Pennon, Frederick . . . 
Powtll, Charles H. . . 

Radcliff, James 

Reynolds, Augustus A. 

Reed, John 

Riley, John 

Riley, Henry 

Riley, Michael 

Ripley, Charles 

Rollins, Benjamin J. . 
Rosignal, Frederick . . 
Sanders, John H. . 
Savage, Edwin . . . 

Smith, John 

Smith, Charles 

Springer, Andrew Ji 
Sperrin, William H. 
Speed, Charles H. 
Spear, Freeman H. 
Sumner, John F. . 
Towle, Alfred B. 
Ward, John .... 
Ware, Eliiah .... 
Walker, John B. . . 
Washburn, Philo B. 

Worley, George 
York, Freeman 



.23 
.21 
.28 
.35 
.22 
.24 
.23 
.18, 
.22. 
.24. 
.20. 
.24. 
.27. 
.44. 
.19. 
.28. 
.18. 

.44. 
.22. 
.24. 
.26. 
.22. 
.18. 

.30. 
.34. 
.29. 
.22. 
.27. 
.26. 
.26. 
.30 
.22. 
.37. 
.21. 
. 19 
.43 
19 
.27 
.20 
.21, 
.21. 
.20 
.42. 
.28. 
.26. 
.21. 
.23. 
.23. 
.30. 
.35. 
.33. 
.23. 
.22. 
.21. 
.25. 
.38. 
.27. 
.44. 

.24. 
.19. 



Residence Mustered ivno RE.\!AEr,,s 

U. S. Service 
.Lewiston Aug. 13, '63. .Cons. det. in arty. brig. wd. Boydton Roa' 

disch. May 16, '65. 

.Monroe Mch. 4, '65. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

.Portland Sept. 21, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st, H. A. 

.Thomaston ...Mch. 14,'64. . Joined as 2d. lieut. 

.Portland Apr. 19, '64. . Died of wds. June 25, '64. 

.Portland Aug. 17, '63. .Cons. pris. Mine Run, tr. 1st. II. A. 

.Lewiston Aug. 5, '63. .Cons. des. Sept. 12, '63. 

.Portland Aug. 15, '63. .Cons. abs. sick, tr. 1st. H. A. 

.Belfast Feb. 11, '65. .Disch. June 3, '65. 

.Portland Aug. 10, '63. .Cons, killed, Spottsylvania. 

.Pembroke July 29, '64. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

.Portland Aug. 12, '63. .Cons. tr. to navy Apr. 23, '64. 

.Farmington . . .Sept. 10, '63. .Cons. wd. Spottsylvania, tr. 1st. H. A. 

.Bangor Aug. 27, '64, .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

.Camden Mch. 1,'64. .Disc. Apr. 26, '64. 

.Camden Feb. 16, '65. .Tr. 1st. H. A.- 

. Lewiston Aug. 12, '63. .Cons, died June 16, '64. 

.Bath July 30, '63. .Cons. wd. Spottsylvania, died fro.m amputatioi 

in Washington, Sept. 5, '64. 

.Augusta Dec. 22, '63. .Disch. June 3, '65. 

.Portland Aug. 17, '63. .Cons, reptd. des. from hosp. in Mch. '64. 

.Westbrook . . . .Aug. IS, '63, .Cons. wd. date not shown, disch. June 13, '65. 

. Bath Aug. 12, '63. .Cons. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. 1st. H. ^ 

.Waterville Aug. 11, '63. .Cons. disc. Jan. 8, '64. 

.Buxton Apr. 20, '64. . Pris. Reams' Station, died Andersonville, Od 

20, '64. 

.Portland Aug. IS, '63. .Cons, supposed pris. disch. June 26, '65. 

.Belfast Dec. 8, '63. .Tr. to navy Apr. 23, '64. 

.Belfast Mch. 4,'6S. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

.Belfast Mch. 4,'65..Tr. 1st. H. A. 

.Augusta July 25, '63. .Des. near Stevensburg, Va., Nov. 26, '63. 

.Oldtown Sept. 19, '63. .Cons. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. 1st. H. ^ 

.Portland Aug. 12, '63. .Cons. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. 1st. H. / 

.Litchfield Mch. IS, '65. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

.Searsport Aug. 15, '63. .Cons. des. Brandy Station, Dec. 4, '63. 

.Augusta Aug. 15, '63. .Cons, disc, Dec. 17, '63. 

.Buxton Apr. 20, '64. .Died, July 10, '64. 

.Augusta Aug. 13, '63. .Cons., pris. Reams' Station, tr. 1st. H. A. 

.Rockland Nov. 28, '63. .Disc, Apr. 6, '64. 

.Augusta Aug. 12, '63. .Cons. des. Sept. 29, '63. 

.Portland Aug. 15, '63. .Cons, killed, Spottsylvania. 

.Portland Aug. 13, '63. .Cons. des. Brandy Station, Dec. 4, '63. 

.Portland Aug. 15, '63. .Cons. des. near Stevensburg, Va., Nov. 26, '6 

.Portland Aug. 1 1, '63. .Cons, died, Dec. 25, '63. 

.Belfast Feb. 20, '64. .Killed, Wilderness. 

.Belfast Dec. 8, '63. .Tr. to navy, Apr. 23, '64. 

.Phipsburg Feb. 29, '64. .Pris. Hatchers Run, tr. 1st. H. A. 

.Lincoln Sept. 10, '63. .Cons, paroled pris., disc, Dec. 5, '64. 

.Chester Aug. 13, '63. .Cons. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. 1st. H. A 

.Portland Sept. 10, '63. .Cons, died, Dec. 31, '63. 

.Augusta Aug. IS, '63. .Abs. sick at m. o. tr. 1st. H. A. 

.Litchfield Sept. 7, '63. .Cons. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. 1st. H, i 

.Milford Aug. 2S,'63. .Cons. tr. to navy, Apr. 23, '64. 

.Macwahoc Aug. 15, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 

.Belfast Dec. 8, '63. .Tr. to navy, Apr. 3, '64. 

.Camden Sept. 20, '64. .Disch., May 13, '65. 

.Lagrange Aug. 14, '63. .Cons. wd. WUdemess, tr. 1st. H. A. 

.W'estbrook . . . .Aug. IS, '63. .Cons, killed. Wilderness. 

.Oldtown Aug. 12, '63. .Cons. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road. 

.Oldtown Aug. 12, '63. .Cons, disch., June 21, '65. 

.Frankfort Aug. S,'63. .Cons. pris. Bristoe Station, died in prison, Ricl 

mond, Jan. 1, '64. 

.Portland Aug. 11, '63. .Cons, des., Sept. 12, '63, never joined co. 

. Bucksport Sept. 17, '63. .Cons. pris. Reams' Station, disch. June 17, '6: 



SOLDIERS TRANSFERRED TO COMPANY FROM FOURTH MAINE REGIMENT, JUNE 15, 186^ 



Babson, Joseph B. . . 
Boardway, Joseph . . , 
Boynton, Leverett S. 

Butler, Michael 



.21.. Brooklin Jan. 

.21 . .Orono Aug. 

.21. . S. Danvers, Ms. Jan. 



1, '64.. Vet. pr. sergt. 2d. lieut. co. F. 
18, '63. .Cons. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr.lst. H. f 
1,'64 Vet. pris. Reams' Station, died, Andersonvilh 
Nov. 27, '64. 



. 38. . Boscommon . . .Dec. 3,'61 . . Disch. exp. term. 



346 



THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 



Name 

Burgin, Augustus . 

Colson, Prentice . . . 
Fowles, Lyman P. . 
Gray, Clarendon W. 
Grant, Lemuel C. . . 
Jellerson, Lemuel B. 
Kent, Edward E. . . 
Kelley, Jeremiah. . . 

Knowlton, John M. 
Lambert, Jonas B. 
Madison, James D. 
Merrow, Hezekiah . 
Metcalf, William . . 

Miles, Charles 

Newbit, Lora A. . . 
Newbit, Austin . . . 
Nickerson, Benjamin 
Rich, Wesley 

Small, Samuel D. 

Stanley, Edgar A, 
Wragg, Theodore M. 
York, Edward . . 



Age Residence Mustered into Remarks 

U. S. Service 

. 22 . .Searsport Dec. 10,'62..Wd. Gettysburg, pris. Jerusalem plank Road, 

died, Andersonville, Sept. 11, '64. 

.27. .Frankfort Jan. 1,'64. .Vet. tr. 1st. H. A. 

.23. .Brewer Aug. 22, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, tr. V. R. C. 

. 18. .Stockton Jan. 1,'64. . Vet. pr. sergt. and 2d. lieut. 

. 2 1 .. Frankfort Jan. 1,'64. . Vet. tr. 1st. H. A. '.| 

. .20. .Monroe Jan. 1,'64. .Vet. tr. 1st. H. A. 

. 21 . . Brewer Jan. 1,'64. . Vet. corp. tr. 1st. H. A. 

.25. .Swanville Aug. 28, '63. .Cons. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, died. Rebel 

Prison, Oct. 28, '64. 

.20. .Swanville Aug. 21, '63. .Cons. wd. Mch. 31, '65, tr. 1st. H. A. 

.18. .Monroe Aug. 18, '63. .Cons, disch. May 19, '65. 

.38. .Lawrence Ms... Aug. 29, '63. .Cons, died, Feb. 12, '65. 

.25. .Fairfield July 21, '63. .Cons, k-illed, Petersburg. 

.42. .Fairfield Aug. 19, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, died at home, Sept. 20, '64. 

.21 . .Soringfield, Ms. Aug. 25, '63. .Cons. pris. Reams' Station, tr. 1st. H. A. 

.26. .Appleton Aug. 2 7, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 

, .20. .Appleton Aug. 22, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 

. 38 . .Eden Dec. 31,'61 . . Disch. exp. term. 

.20.. Jackson Dec. 3, '61. . Pris. Gettysburg, died. Belle Isle prison, Nov. 

18, '64. 

. 23. .Bucksport Dec. 8, '62.. Pris. Gettysburg, died. Belle Isle prison, Nov. 

15, '64. 

.28. .Brewer Aug. 12, '63. .Cons. wd. Wilderness, disch.. May 20, '65. 

.23. .Lowell Aug. 21, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 

.19. .Hermon Aug. 26, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 



SOLDIERS WHO JOINED COMPANY PROM FIFTH COMPANY UN.ASSIGNED INFANTRY IN 

NOVEMBER 1864. 



Caiman, James J 22 . . Clinton Oct. 

Cunningham, George H.18. .Augusta Oct. 

Fairbrother, James. ... IS 

Gordon, Sylvanus 34. 

Lewis, Wilson C 33 . 

McNelley, Hazen 33 . 

Perry, Stephen W. ... 20. 
Plummer, Edward L. . .31 . 

Speed, Enoch R 22. 

Taylor, Dexter 44 . 

Tibbetts, Rodney D. . .23. 
Tobin, James B. . . 



, Limerick Oct. 

.Mercer Oct. 

.Clinton Oct. 

.Clinton Oct. 

. Burnham Oct. 

. Pittsfield Oct. 

.Athens Oct. 

.Gardiner Oct. 

. Smithfield Oct. 



5, '64. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

5, '64. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

5, '64. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

5, '64. .Sergt., tr. 1st. H. A. 

5, '64. .Capt. assigned to co. G. 

5, '64. .Mus. tr. 1st. H . .A. 

5.'64..Tr. 1st. H. A. 

5, '64. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

S,'64. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

5,'64..Tr. 1st. H. A. 



.27. .Windsor Oct. 



5, '64. .Corp., tr. 1st 
5, '64. .Corp., tr. 1st 



Company K. 



SOLDIERS WHO VOLUNTEERED AND JOINED COMPANY AT ITS ORGANIZATION. 



Richard Crockett 32 

George A. Kimball . . .20 
George A. Wadsworth 21. 



Weld Sargent 
Joseph W. Winter 



,..30 
..37, 



Samuel E. Buckman .31 
William Boynton Jr. . .35 
Thomas P. Beath ... .20 
James N. Hinkley ... 31 



Edwin W. Swett . , 
George L. Grant . 
Giles O. Bailey ... 
Addison Sawyer . . 

David R. Bressons 



Charles T. Clifford ...25 



Blackman, Charles . 
Blaisdell, Richard M. 



Blaisdell, Robert B. . .30. 



SERGEANTS 

. Brunswick Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. 2d. and 1st. lieut. 

.Bath Aug. 25, '62. .Red. wd. Gettysburg, tr. V. R. C. 

.Bath Aug. 25,'62..Pr. sergt. -maj., wd. Gettysburg, pr. 2d. lieut. 

CO. E. 
. Boothbay Aug. 2 5, '62. . Red. wd. Gettysburg, pr. corp., wd. Spottsylvan- 

ia, died, July 6, '64. 
. W. Bath Aug. 25, '62. . Red. pr. commissary sergt., m. o. 

CORPORALS 

.Eastport Aug. 25, '62. .Pr. 2d. lieut.. wd. Gettysburg, died, Dec. 3, '63 . 

.Bath .Aug. 25, '62. .Pr. sergt., killed, Gettysburg. 

.Boothbay Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. 1st. lieut. and capt. co. C. 

.Georgetown . . .\\ig. 25, '62. . Pr. 1st. sergt. and 2d. lieut., mortally wd. Mor- 
ton's Ford, died, Feb. 15, '64. '. 
Red. det. in 4. U. S. arty., wd. Wilderness, m. o. 
Pr. sergt. wd. Gettysburg, died, Nov. 5, '63. 
Disc, Sept. 14. '62. 
Red. wd. Gettysburg, m. o. 
MUSICIAN ■ •• 
Aug. 25, '62. .Disc. Jan. 25, '63. 
WAGONER 

Bath Aug. 25,'62. .Tr. V. R. C, Jan. IS, '64. 

PRIVATES 

Bath .Aug. 25,'62..M. o. 

Phips'ourg ......Vug. 25,'62..Wd. Gettysburg and Strawberry Plains, disc, 

May 31, '65. 
Phipsburg . . . .Aug. 25, '62. . Tr. to navy, .\pr. 15, '64. 



.Arrowsic Aug. 25, '62. 

.Phipsburg . . . . Aug. 25,'62. 

.Gardiner Aug. 2 5, '62. 

.Bath Aug. 25, '62. 



. 41 . .Chesterville. 



ROSTER 



347 



Name 

Blake, Edwin 

Bowker, Charles H. . . 

Boyd. Abijah P 

Brown, George H. . . . 

Butler, Elijah C 

Butler, James B 

Campbell, Elijah Jr.. . 

Child, Thomas 

Clary, James E 

Clough, Thomas 

Coombs, Charles R. . . 
Curlis, Edward B. . . . 
Cushman, George W. 

Dolloff, Beniah P 

Dunton, Ezekiel L.. . . 

Eaton, George T 

Elliott, Henry H. . . . 
Emerson, Luther . . . . 
Fogler, George P. . . . 

Fowles, Ezra L 

Francis, Nelson 

French, David M. . . . 
Graves, Alpheus M. . . 
Greenlow, William T.. 
Grows, George E. . . . 



Age Residence 



.20. 
.19, 
.24, 
.18, 
.18. 
.18. 
.31. 
.18. 
.24. 
.36. 
.19. 
.18. 
.20. 
.20. 
.20. 
.18. 
.18. 
.34. 
.34. 
.19. 
.19. 
.42. 
.19. 
.32. 
.24. 



Muster 
U. S. S 

.Bath Aug. 25 

. Phipsburg .... Aug. 2 S 

.Boothbay Aug. 25 

.Bath . , Aug. 25 

.Phipsburg ....Aug. 25 
.Phipsburg ....Aug. 25 
.Georgetown ...Aug. 25 

.Bath Aug. 25 

.Georgetown ...Aug. 25 

.Bath Aug. 25 

.W. Bath Aug. 25 

.Bath Aug. 25 

. Brunswick .... Aug. 2 5 

.Boothbay .\ug. 25 

.Westport Aug. 25 

.Bath Aug. 25 

.Bath Aug. 25 

. Boothbay Aug. 25 

.Boothbay Aug 25 

.Westport Aug. 25 

. Arrowsic Aug. 2 5 

.Bath Aug. 25 

. Brunswick . . . .Aug. 25 

.Phipsburg Aug. 25 

. Brunswick . . . .Aug. 25 



Hanson, Benjamin B. 
Hagan, Thomas M.. . 
Hathorn, Darius . . . 

Heal, James T 

Heal, George W. . . . 
Holbrook, Alpheus M 

Jellison, Alvah 

Knights, James H. . 
Lewis. James H. ... 
Little, Horace A. ... 
Lombard, David C. 
Lowell, John R. B.. . 
Lowe, Charles M. . . . 

Marr, Calvin E 

McAvoy, Charles E. 
McFarland, Nathaniel 

McKenney, William 

Mereen, Samuel 

Mitchell, Tesse 

Mitchell, Edward T.. 
Mitchell, Isaac W. . . 
Mitchell, Simmons A. 
Nichols, Oliver P. . . 

Oliver, Loring C 

Oliver. Thomas 4th. 
Pinkham, Lyman W. 

Pratt. Samuel Jr 

Proctor, Warren . . . 

Pye, Thomas A 

Rogers. Josiah B. . . 
Rourke, Lawrence J. 

Scott, Thomas E. . . 
Shea, Samuel B. ... 

Smith, Melville 

Snowman, Ambrose 
Spinney, Charles F. . 
Sprague, Charles E. . 
Stevens, Carroll H.. . 
Sullivan, Jeremiah . . 

Swasey, John J 

Tobie, Philander H. 
Trafton, Stephen P. 

Varell, Gilman N. . . 
Wallace, James R. . . 
Webber. Isaac Jr. . . 



.33. 

.25. 

.29. 

.31. 

.21. 
23. 

.21. 
..18. 
..20. 
. .19. 
..22, 
. .19. 
..20. 
..36. 
. .18. 
C.20. 

..20. 
..21. 
..43. 
. .24. 
. .1*. 
..19. 
. .18. 
. .34. 
..39. 
.23. 
..24. 
. .19. 
. .20. 
. .19. 
..18. 

..25. 
..30. 
. .20. 
. .22. 
..22. 
..18. 
. .18. 
..18. 
..38. 
. .22. 
. .20. 

. .25. 
. .18, 
. .20. 



.Pittston Aug. 

.Georgetown . . .Aug. 

.Bath Aug. 

.Phipsburg ....Aug. 
. Georgetown . . . Aug. 

.W. Bath Aug. 

.Kennebunk. . . .Aug. 

.Bangor Aug. 

. Brunswick Aug. 

.Bath Aug. 

.Bath Aug. 

.Phipsburg ....Aug. 

.Bath Aug. 

. Georgetown . . . Aug. 

.Bath Aug. 

. Boothbay . . . .Aug. 

.Westport Aug. 

. Phipsburg . . . .Aug. 

.Bath Aug. 

.Bath Aug. 

.Bath Aug. 

.Bath Aug. 

.Phipsburg ....Aug. 
.Phipsburg ....Aug. 
.Phipsburg ....Aug. 

.Boothbay Aug. 

. Richmond Aug. 

.Brunswick . . . .Aug. 
. Phipsburg . . . .Aug. 
. Phipsburg .... Aug. 
.Bath Aug. 

.Georgetown . . .Aug. 
.Georgetown ...Aug. 

.Brunswick Aug. 

. Georgetown . . . Aug. 
. Phipsburg .... Aug. 

.Bath Aug. 

.Bath Aug. 

. Lewiston Aug. 

.Bath Aug. 

.Bath Aug. 

.Georgetown ...Aug. 



.Rye. N. H. 
, Phipsburg 



.Aug. 25 
.Aug. 25 



ED 

ERV 

'62. 
'62, 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 

'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'82. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 

'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 
'62. 

'62. 

'62. 

'62. 

'62 

'62 

'62 

'62 

'62 

'62 

'62 

'62 

'62 
'62 



, Boothbay Aug. 25. '62 



INTO Rem.-vrks 

ICE 

. . Wd. Gettysburg, disc, Oct. 7, '63. 

..Disc. June 2-, '65. 

. .M. o. 

. .Pris. Reams' Station, m. o. '■ 

. . Killed, North Anna. 

, .Died, Falmouth, Va., Mch. 14, '63. 

. .Pr. sergt., disc. Mch. 3, '63. 

. .Det. brig. p. m. pr. 1st. lieut. co. E., 31st. Me. 

..Disc, Mch. 23, '63. 

. .Reptd. des. from hosp., Apr. 20, '63. 

.Died, Dec. 27, '62. 

, .Det. in 4. U. S. arty., pris. Reams' Station m.o 
. . Pr. Corp., disc, Dec. 16, '63. 
. .Pr. sergt. 2d. and 1st. lieut. 
. . Wd. Gettysburg, tr. to navy, Apr. 15, '64. 
, .Pr. q. m. sergt.. died, Mch. 27, '64. 
..M. o. 

, .Disc, Oct. 16, '63. 
. .Killed, Gettysburg. 

.Det. 1st. R. L arty., killed, Spottsylvania. 
. .Killed, Gettysburg. 

.Disc, Mch. 10, '63. 

. Pr. Corp. and sergt., m. o. 

.Disc, Mch. 10, '63. 

. Pr. Corp. and sergt., wd. Jerusalem Plank Road 
died, of wds., July 7, '64. 

. Pr. 2d. lieut. co. K. 

. Pr. corp. and sergt., wd. Strawberry Plains, m. o 

.Disc, Feb. 28, '63. 

. Killed, Gettysburg. 

.Died, Dec. 11, '62. 

.Musician, m. o. 

.Wd. Gettysburg, disc, Mch. 1, '64. 

.Wd. Boydton Road, m. o. 

. Killed, Gettysburg. 

.Pr. Corp., m. o. 

.Wd. Gettysburg, disc, Oct. 28, '63. 
. .Det. mus. disc, Jan. 10, '63. 
. .Killed, Gettysburg. 

. . Wd. Gettysburg, tr. V. R. C, July 16, '63. 
. . Killed, Gettysburg. 
, . Pr. Corp., wd. and pris. Jerusalem Plank Road. 

died Anderson ville Mch. 13, '65. 
. . Wd. Gettysburg, abs. at m. o. 
, . Wd. North Anna, m. o. 

. Wd. Gettysburg, disc, Jan. 8, '64. 

.Det. q. m. dept., m. o. 
. . Wd. Gettysburg, tr. V. R. C, Nov. 1, '63. 

. Wd. Gettysburg, tr. V. R. C. 

.Killed, Gettysburg. 

.Wd. Gettysburg, died, July 20, '63. 

.Disc, Feb. 16, '63. 

.Disc, Mch. 10, '63. 

. Pioneer corps, pr. Corp., m. o. 

. Wd. Gettysburg, pr. Corp., disch., June 26, '65 

. Reptd. a des. 
, .Tr. to navy, Apr. 15, '64. 
, . Pr. Corp., wd. Spottsylvania, died, May 28, '64. 

. Wd. Gettysburg, disc. Apr. 23. '6S. 

. Wd. Gettysburg, died, July 20, '63. 

.Abs. sick, disch., June 6, '65. 

.Disc, Apr. 20, '63. 

. Dropped from the rolls as des., Oct. 24, '64. 

.Died, Falmouth, Va., Feb. 1. '63. 

.Disc, Feb. 18, '63. 

.Tr. V. R. C. 

.Tr. to navy, Apr. 15, '64. 

. Killed, Spottsylvania. 

.Wd Gettysburg, pr. sergt., wd. Jerusalem Plank 

Rodd, m. o 
.Wd. Gettysburg, tr. V. R. C. .Nov. 22, '63. 
.Wd. Spottsylvania. 
. Pr. 1st. sergt., wd. Wilderness, m. o. 



348 



THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 



Name 

Webster, Leonard S 
Webster, Lorenz-o . 
Williams, Henry N. 
Willis, William T. . . 
Wylie, James A. . . 
Wylie, Samuel. Jr.. . 



Age Residence Mustered into 



Remarks 



24. .Boothbav Aug. 25. '62. .Disc, Mch. 10, '63 

21 " * ' • «. . ^ . 

26 
18 
18 
36 



.Boothbay Aug. 2S,'62. .Wd. Gettysburg, in hosp. at m. o. 

.Richmond Aug. 25, '62. .Wd. Gettysburg, died, July 18, '63. 

. Arrowsic Aug. 25, '62. . Pr. corp., wd. Wilderness, m. o. 

.Boothbay Aug. 25, '62. .Died, Falmouth, Va., Dec. 30, '62. 

.Boothbay Aug. 25, '62. .Died, Falmouth, Va., Dec. 26, '62. 



RECRUITS AND CONSCRIPTS WHO JOINED 



Allen, Manley 

Bennett, George H. 
Bennett, Sumner H. 
Bixby, George .... 
Bourne, Justin T. . 
Carter, Edwin F. . . . 
Chapman, John S. . 

Chase, George 

Dorrity, Charles M. 

Farrar, Leroy 

Fielding, John .... 
Flinn, Charles B. . . 

Ford, Lot A 

Gibbs, Reuben 

Glidden, Wesley . . . 
Greenwood, William 
Hawes, Wilson .... 
Hefferan, Thomas. . 
Hicks, James W., . . 
Higgins, William N. 
Holmes, Charles . . . 
Howard, Charles A. 
Howard, William . . 
Jacobs, Edwa!-d . . . 
Kilfedder, Robert . 

Lee, Peter 

Lowell, William R. . 
McAllister, Gardiner 
McKeen, Loring . . . 
McDonald, Angus . 
McKinsey, Norman 
Murray, Maurice . . 
Porter, [osiah H. . . 
Porter, Willis M.. .. 
Potter, Samuel .... 



Rand, Albert G. . . . 
Robinson, Albert . . 
Roberts, Henry. . . . 

Sawyer, Ether C. G. 
Shepherd, Nelson R 
Taylor, James W. . 
Thompson, John L. 
Thompson, Alonzo 
Tilton, Newell B. . . 
Wakefield, Thomas D 
Wentworth, Asa C. 
Wells, Albert L. . . 
Williams, John H. 



. . 32 . . Augusta Aug. 

. . 19 . .Camden Dec. 

. .44. .Camden Dec. 

. . 24 . . Lewiston Aug. 

. .22. .Levant Sept. 

. . 18 . . Lewiston Feb. 

. . 30 . . Damariscotta . Feb. 

. .36. . Waterville Aug. 

. .20. .Corinth Sept. 

..21.. Augusta July 

. .38. .Augusta Aug. 

..18.. Levant Sept. 

. . 19 . . Montville July 

. .38. .Fairfield Aug. 



.23. 
.21. 
.18. 
.30. 
.22. 
.18. 
.26. 
.22. 
.18. 
.23. 
.30. 
.20. 
.21. 
.19, 
.32. 
.33. 
.21. 
.21. 
.23. 
.20. 
.22. 

.31 
.24. 
.25. 

.22. 
.20. 
.18. 
.22. 
.28. 



.Orneville Aug. 

. Lewiston Aug. 

.Waterville Aug. 

. Portland Aug. 

. Lewiston Aug. 

.Belfast Nov. 

. Oldtown Aug. 

.Portland Sept. 

.Georgetown . . .Aug. 

. Appleton Dec. 

. Portland Aug. 

. Thorn aston ...Aug. 
. Phipsburg ....Aug. 
. Stoneham . . . .Aug. 

.Lewiston July 

. Portland Aug. 

.Lewiston Aug. 

. Lewiston Feb. 

. Bradford Aug. 

.Oldtown Sept. 

.Portland Sept. 

.Bangor Aug. 

.Bath Aug. 

.Portland Sept. 

. Medford Aug. 

. Augusta Aug. 

.Gardiner Aug. 

. Lewiston Aug. 

. Porter Aug. 

.Etna Sept. 

.Bath Aug. 

. Sarsfield pi Aug. 

. Mercer Jan. 

. Lewiston Aug. 



COMPANY SUBSEQUENT TO ITS ORGANIZATION 
17, '63 .Sub. disc, Dec. 11, '63. 

3, '63. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 

3, '63. .Tr. 1st. H. A. 
14, '63.. Sub. disc, Jan. 11. '64. 
1 1 ,63 . . Cons. pris. Wilderness and in prison at m. o. 
26. '64.. Died, Apr. 14, '64. 
27, '64. . Wd. Jerusalem Plank Road, died, July 7, '64. 

8, '63. .Sub. disch., June 8. '65. 
18, '63. .Sub. disch.. May 22 '65. 
22, '63. .Sub. wd. Totopotomoy, disch., Apr. 29, '65. 
14, '63.. Sub. disc, Dec. 16, '63. 

22, '63. . Pr. sergt. wd. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr.lst.H.A, 
22,'63..Wd. Wilderness, died May 19, '64. 
13, '63.. Sub. pris. Jerusalem Plank Road, died, Ander- 

sonville, Jan. 23, '65. 
14, '63. .Cons., died, June 15, '64. 

6. '63. .Sub. pris. Reams' Station, tr. 1st. H. A. 
17, '63. .Cons., tr. V. R. C, Sept. 11. '64. 
14. '63. .Sub. tr. to co. F. 
13, '63. .Sub. wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st. H. A. 
30,'63..Abs. sick, tr. 1st. H. A. 

6,'63. .Cons., wd. Spottsylvania, tr. 1st. H. A. 
22, '63. .Cons. tr. 1st. H. A. 
14,'63..Abs. sick, tr. 1st. H. A. 

5, '63. .Died near Brandy Station, Va., Feb. 18, '64. 
11, '63. .Sub. pr. Corp., wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st. H. A. 
12, '63. .Sub. killed, Totopotomoy. 
14, '63. .Sub. tr. to navv, Apr. 15, '63. 
12, '63. .Sub. wd. Wilderness, tr. 1st. H. A. 
16, '63. .Cons., disc, Oct. 11, '63. 
14, '63. .Cons, reptd. des., Nov. 26, '63. 

8, '63. .Cons, des., Sept. 8, '63. 
12, '64. . Pris. Reams' Station, tr. 1st. H. A. 
12, "63. .Sub., wd. Spottsylvania, tr. 1st. H. A. 
18, '63. .Cons. wd. Spottsylvania, tr. Ist.H. A. 
23, '63. .Sub. reptd. des. Oct. 13, '63, probably captured' 

by enemy. 
28, '63. .Sub. wd. Wilderness, disc, Jan. 9, '65. 

7, '63. .Sub. des. wd. Wilderness Sept. 28, '64. 
23, '63.. Sub. pris. Bristoe Station, died, Andersonville.i 

July 24. '64. 
14,'63. .Cons., disch., June 19. '65.. 
13, '63. .Sub. des. Mch 5, '65. 

5, '63. . Wd. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. 1st. H. A. 
17, '63. .Mortally wd. Wilderness, died May 22, '64. 
13, '63. .Cons., disc, Apr. 11, '64. 
22, '63. .Cons., killed. North Anna. 
25, '62. .Com. -sergt., red. disc, Jan. 18, '63. 
15, '63. .Cons, died, Dec. 29, '63, at Washington. 

2, '64. Tr. 1st. H. A. 

5, '63. .Sub. wd. Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. 1st. H. A. 



SOLDIERS TRANSFERRED TO COMPANY FROM FOURTH MAINE REGIMENT, JUNE IS, 1864 i 



Auld, Rufus 

Blake. John P. . . . 
Bryer. Albert W. . 

Corey, John K. . . 
Giles, Charles E. Jr 
Grover, Moses . . . 
Harthorn, William 
Jackson, James E. 
Jackson, Amasa J. 
Kennedy, Thomas . . 
Kenniston, Samuel E 



M. 



.28. .Boothbay Aug. 25, '62. 

.20. .Boothbav Aug. 25, '62. 

.21. .Boothbay Aug. 2 5, '62. 

.22. .Boothbay Aug. 25, '62. 

.18. .Boothbay Aug. 25, '62. 

.44. .Perry Aug. 30, '63. 

. 20. .Thomaston ...Jan. 1,'64. 

.24.. Belmont Dec. 9, '63. 

.43. .Belmont Aug. 22, '63. 

.21 . .Belfast Aug. 26, '63. 

.36. .Lewiston Aug. 26, '63. 



.M. o. 

. Pr. Corp.. m, o. 

.Wd. Jerusalem Plank Road, died, of wds.i 

July 27, '64. 
. Wd. Cold Harbor, disch., June 9, '65. 
. Pr. Corp., m.o. 
.Cons. pris. Spottsylvania and in prison at m. o.i 
.Vet. pr. Corp., tr. 1st. H. A. 
.Disch.. May 22, '65. 

.Cons., wd Jerusalem Plank Road, tr. 1st. H. A.. 
.Cons., tr. 1st. H. A., reptd. abs. wd. 
.Cons, died in Washington, June 7, '64. 



ROSTER 



349 



Age Residence Mustered into Remarks 

U. S. Service 

.Alexandria . . . .Nov. 1,'61. .Disc. Nov. 3, '64. 

.Sedgwick Nov. 9, '61 .. Disc, Nov. 8, '64, exp. term. 

.Kenduskeag . .Nov. 9,'61 . . Disc. Nov. 8, '64, exp. term. 

.Gardiner Jan. 1,'64. .Vet. pr. corp., tr. 1st. H. A. 

. Boothbay Aug. 25, '62. .Sick in hosp. at m. o. 

.Charleston . . . .Aug. 24,|63. .Cons., pris. Wilderness, tr. 1st. H. A. 

25, '63. .Cons., wd. tr. 1st. H. A. 

25, '63. .Cons., wd. Oct. 23. '64, disch., June 2 '6S 

.Boothbay Aug. 25, '62. .Sergt., disc. July 17, '64. 

■ Oldtown Aug. 25, '63. .Cons., wd., tr. 1st. H. A. 

.Kingsbury Aug. 15,'63. .Cons. abs. tr. Ist.H. A. 

.Portland Aug. 25, '63. .Cons., wd., tr. 1st. H. A. 

.Winn Aug. 25. '63. .Cons., wd., tr. 1st. H. A. 

.Winn Aug. 25, '63. .Cons., wd.. North Anna tr. 1st. H. A. 

.Saco Sept. 2, '63. .Cons., disc, June 16, '64. 

SOLDIERS WHO JOINED COMPANY FROM FIFTH COMPANY UNASSIGNED'INFANTRy 

NOVEMBER, 1864. 



Name 

Larmour, John W. 
Page. James W. . . . 

Page, Amos M 

Perkins, Thomas R. 
Pinkham, Francis C 
Scribner, Albert C 
Simpson, Elisha . 
Simpson, John. . . 
Smith, William M. 
Smith, James. ... 
Smith, Fairfield. . 
Smiley James . . . 
Trott, Solomon S. 
Trott, Amos C. 
Ward, Joseph . 



..27 
.22 
..24 
.19 
. .31 
. .18 
. .42 
. .17 
.23 
, .21 
. .18 
.33. 
, .18 
.22 
.23 



. Bradford Aug. 

. Bradford Aug. 



IN 



Abbott, Edmund M 
Graves, Sumner 
Hart, Noah ... 
Hart, Sampson 

Hart, Eben 

Harvey, Joseph 
McPherson, John M. 
Odlin, John H. . . 
Rolf, Cephas M. . 
Russell. William 
Sawyer, Rolonson 
Smart, Sylvester 
Sutton, James H. 
Trask, Elbridge. . 
Winn, Charles J. 



. .18. .Bristol Oct. 5, '64. 

. .18. .Waldoboro . . . .Oct. 5, '64. 

. .18. .Waldoboro Oct. 5, '64. 

. .18. Pittsfield Oct. 5, '64. 

.. 18. .Waldoboro ... .Oct. 5, '64. 

. .43. .Waldoboro ... .Oct. 5, '64. 

. .21. .Windsor Oct. 5, '64. 

..28.. Mercer Oct. 5, '64. 

. .18. .Waldoboro ... .Oct. 5, '64. 

. .20. .Windsor Oct. 5, '64. 

. 18 . . Norridgewock. .Oct. 5, '64. 

. .18. .Augusta Oct. 5, '64. 

. .28. .Waldoboro ... .Oct. 5. '64. 

. .26, .Waterville Oct. 5. '64. 

. .18. .Waldoboro Oct. 5, '64. 



Tr. 
Tr. 
Tr. 
Tr, 
Tr. 



1st. H. A. 

1st. H. A. 

1st. H. A. 

1st. H. A. 

1st. H. A. 
Tr. 1st. H. A. 
Tr. 1st. H. A. 
Tr. 1st. H. A. 
Disch., May 20, '65. 
Tr. 1st. H. A. 
Tr. 1st. H. A. 
Tr. 1st. H. A. 
Disc, Feb. 25, 
Tr. 1st. H. A. 
Tr. 1st. H. A. 



■65. 



Appendix. 



APPENDIX 



APPENDIX. 



333 



The author of this volume is a native of Maine and proud 
of her history. Nothing has contributed more to the renown 
of the Pine Tree State than the character of her statesmen 
from 1855 to 1870 and the service and sacrifice of her sons 
during the distressing period of the Civil War. Her sons 
and their descendants may be found in every State of the 
Union. When the flag and the perpetuity of the Govern- 
ment were threatened in the sixties, these sons of Maine — 
these patriotic men of patriotic spirit and hardihood — re- 
sponded to the call of their country. 

The men who died for their country and its institutions, 
on the battlefields of the War, should be gratefully remem- 
bered. Let us recall a few of their names: Hiram G. Berry, 
Rockland; Hiram Burnham, Cherryfield; Daniel Chaplin and 
William L. Pitcher, Bangor; Freeman McGilvery, Stockton; 
Charles S. Bickmore, Ebenezer Whitcomb and Robert H. 
Gray, Searsport; Calvin S. Douty, Dover; William S. Heath, 
Waterville; Edwin Burt, Augusta; Stephen Boothby and 
George F. Leppien, Portland; Winslow P. Spofford, Dedham; 
Archibald D. Leavitt, Turner; William Knowlton, Lewiston; 
William C. Morgan, Cornville; Joel A. Haycock, Calais; and 
James P. Jones, China. 

These men were killed in battle. They were all general 
and staff officers of Maine organizations. Maine is richer 
because these men lived — and died. But this list comprises 
only a few of the officers, highest in command. Line officers 
and enlisted men who fell in battle, who died in hospitals or 
miserably perished in the prisons of the South, make a list 
of heroes which is Maine's richest heritage. 

in the examination of the War records and in the research 
necessary to be made in the preparation of this work, the 
author gathered information not pertinent to a Regimental 
History. It may, however, be of sufficient general interest 
to the people of Maine, to justify its printing. 



354 



THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 



A partial list of men born in the State of Maine, who 
entered the military service of the United States from other 
states or through the regular army and attained the rank of 
general or field officer, is herewith appended. W. P. indi- 
cates that the men were educated at West Point. 



James G. Blunt, 
C C. Washburn, 
E. D. Keyes (W. P.), 



MAJOR-GENERALS 

Appointed from Kansas. 
Entered service from Wisconsin, 
Appointed to West Point from Maine 
but born in Massachusetts. 



BRIGADIER-GENERALS 



Adelbert Ames (W. P.), 
James H. Carleton, 
Francis Fessenden, 
Cuvier Grover (W. P.), 
Cyrus HamHn, 
Edward Hatch, 
Joseph Hayes, 
Edward W. Hinks, 
Albion P. Howe (W. P.), 
Rufus Ingalls(W. P.), 
Francis G. Lanners (W. P.), 
Henry Prince (W. P.), 
Eliakim P. Scammon (W. P.). 
Seth Williams (W. P.), 



Formerly 1st Lieut. Stli U. S. Artillery. 

Col. 1st California Infantry. 

Capt. 19th U. S. Infantry. 

Capt. 10th U. S. Infantry. 

Col. 80th U. S. C. Infantry. 

Col. 2nd Iowa Cavalry. 

Col. 18th Massachusetts Infty. 

Col. 19th Massachusetts Inftry 

Capt. 4th U. S. Artillery. 
" Q. M. and Major U. S. A. 

Col. 43rd New York Infantry. 

Capt. 4th U. S. Infantry. 

Col. 23rd Ohio Infantry. 
" Lt.-Col.Asst. A. G., U. S. A. 



COLONELS 



Melville A. Cochran, 

Albert Erskine, 

Samuel A. Foster, . 

John W. T. Gardiner, 

Charles F. Haynes, 

Horatio C. King, 

Edward B. Knox, . 

William J. McDermott, . 

Alfred Morton, 

James W. H. Stickney, . 

Peter G. Stuyvesant, 

Charles W. Thompson (W. P.) 

James H. Thompson, 

Charles J. Whiting, 

Henry C. Wood (W. P.), 

Joseph S. Gage, 

Augustus H. Gibson (W. P.), 

Samuel Harriman, 

John H. Holfnan, . 

Marshall S. Howe, 



Surg 



6th U. S. Infantry. 

. 13th Illinois Cavalry. 

35th Missouri Infantry. 

. 2nd U. S. Cavalry. 

Surgeon U. S. Volunteers. 

. Q. M. U.S. Voluntee 

44th New York Infantry. 

;eon 66th New York, Infantr 

7th California Infantry. 

3rd New York Infantry 

Surgeon U. S. Volunteers. 

. Q. M. U. S. A. 

Surgeon U. S. Volunteers. 

2nd U. S. Cavalry. 

. Asst.. A. G. U. S. A. 

29th Missouri Infantry. 

2nd Pennsylvania Artillery. 

37th Wisconsin Infantry. 

1st U. S. C. Infantry. 

3rd U. S. Cavalry. 



APPENDIX 



355 



Daniel Huston, 

Warren L. Lothrop 

Granville Moody, . 

Thomas F. Purley, 

Charles G. Sawtelle (W. P.), 

Orland Smitn, 

Charles R. Thompson, 

Ansel D. Wass, 

William Appleton Webb (W. P 

Edward F. Winslow, 



7th Missouri Cavalry. 

1st Missouri Light Artillery. 

74th Ohio Infantry. 

Medical Inspector General. 

. Q. M. U. S. A. 

73rd Ohio Infantry 

12th U. S. C. Infantry. 

60th Massachusetts Infantry. 

42nd Illinois Infantry. 

4th Iowa Cavalry. 



LIEUTENANT-COLONELS 



John S. Cook, 
Seth Eastman, 
Robert F. Patterson, 
William Sanborn, . 
Charles W. Thomas (W. P.), 
Charles A, Whittier, 



Asst 



26th Massachusetts Infantry. 

1st U. S. Infantry. 

29th Iowa Infantry. 

22nd Michigan Infantry. 

7th U. S. Infantry. 

A. G., U. S. Vols. (20th Mass.). 



MAJORS 

. 2nd U. S. Artillery. 

19th U. S. Infantry. Killed battle of 

Murfreesboro, Dec. 31, 1862. 

3rd Pennsvlvania Artillery. 

3rd U. S. Artillery. 

Asst. A. G., U. S. Volunteers, Kansas. 



Josiah H. Carlisle (W. P.), 
Stephen D. Carpenter (W. P.), 

John A. Darling, . 
John Edwards (W. P.), . 
Frederick W. Emery, 

The following commissioned officers, below the rank of 
Major, who lost their lives in the service, were born in Maine: 

Roderick Stone (W. P.), Captain 14th U. S. Infantry, mortally 
wounded battle of Valverde, New Mexico, Feb. 21, 1862. 

William H. Chamberlain, 1st Lieutenant, 17th U. S. Infantry; 
killed at Gettysburg, July 2nd, 1863. 

Otto Fisher, 1st Lieutenant 8th U. S. Infantry; mortally 
wounded battle of Poplar Spring Church, Va., Sept. 30th, 
1864; died Oct. 3rd, 1864. 

Thomas H. Green (W. P.), Captain on statf of General Prince, 
commanding Second Division of Banks' Army Corps; killed 
at battle of Cedar Mountain, Va., Aug. 1862. 

I regret to state that Maine has to her credit (or dis- 
credit) the fact that several of her sons, born within her 
borders and educated at West Point at the public's expense, 
deserted the old flag and fought for the South and the perpet- 
uation of human slavery. The writer recalls three such cases. 

Frederick Lynn Childs, born in Maine but appointed to 
West Point from North Carolina, became a Lieutenant- 
Colonel in the artillery branch of the Confederate army. 

James Hoffman Hill, born in Maine but appointed to 



356 THE NINETEENTH MAINE REGIMENT 

West Point from New York, became a Major and Assistant 
Adjutant-General in the Confederate service. 

FDanville Leadbetter was born in and appointed to West 
Point from Maine and became a Brigadier-General in the 
Confederate army. Leadbetter never distinguished himself 
for bravery or skill upon the battlefield. He won his doubt- 
ful honors from the Confederacy by reason of his brutal and 
fiendish persecution of Union men and women and their 
families in East Tennessee. 



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